October 05, 2026: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Backyard Flock in Sacramento County Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Sacramento County. Animal Disease Emergency Responders are working with the flock owner. Based on the current animal disease investigation and assessment, no movement restrictions will be placed in Sacramento County. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2026 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time. For Poultry Owners The Bird Flu virus is mainly spread by wild birds, especially in wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese. Any wild bird species can also become a source. Bird Flu is widespread in California and may be present in counties that are not listed. This can be due to no lab submissions from those counties. We strongly urge all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites. Avian influenza is a highly contagious and often fatal disease in birds. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds, direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds or contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and fur of rodents and other animals. Clinical signs of HPAI include sudden death, trouble breathing, clear runny discharge (from nose, mouth, and eyes), lethargy, decreased food and water intake, swelling (eyes, head, wattles, or combs), discolored or bruised comb, wattles, or legs, stumbling/falling or twisted neck. Poultry owners with flocks that have experienced any unusual/suspicious illness or deaths should call our CDFA Sick Animal Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473). Wild Birds Avoid touching and handling injured, sick, or dead, wild birds. Contact your local animal control for further instruction and report any unusual or suspicious deaths in wild birds to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife online. If you have questions about wildlife rehabilitation, please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife directly: Wildlife Health Lab - Avian Investigations (ca.gov). Stay Informed For the latest updates in California domestic poultry, subscribe and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook (Animal Health Branch – CDFA) and Instagram (AnimalHealthBranch_CDFA). For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. For public inquiries regarding HPAI in California, please call 916-217-7517 or send an e-mail to cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov. For media inquiries, please call 916-654-0462 or send an e-mail to OfficeOfPublicAffairs@cdfa.ca.gov.
On April 17, 2026, the State of California fulfilled all necessary actions and surveillance requirements to self-declare free from HPAI in Poultry.
As of April 17, 2026, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has self-declared California as free from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry. This declaration can be made after meeting requirements established by USDA including the release of all quarantines on poultry premises and undergoing a subsequent waiting period with no additional disease detections. Active HPAI in poultry in the U.S. impacts international exports of poultry and poultry products. HPAI response activities have been completed. As of February 27, 2026, all dairies under quarantine for H5N1 have been released. On April 17, 2026, the quarantine was released on the last infected eligible poultry premises in Sonoma County.
The H5N1 HPAI incident in California is now final, closed, and resolved. For additional information on USDA’s updates on interstate dairy cattle movements, visit our H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock webpage.
February 9, 2026: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Commercial Flock in Sonoma County
Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial flock in Sonoma County. Animal Disease Emergency Responders are working with the flock owner to mitigate the spread of disease. Movement restrictions are currently in place for Sonoma County only. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.
For public inquiries regarding HPAI in California, please call 916-217-7517 or send an e-mail to cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov. For media inquiries, please call 916-654-0462 or send an e-mail to OfficeOfPublicAffairs@cdfa.ca.gov.
January 30, 2026: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Backyard Flock in Sutter County
Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Sutter County. Animal Disease Emergency Responders are working with the flock owner. Based on the current animal disease investigation and assessment, no movement restrictions will be placed in Sutter County.
This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.
January 2, 2026: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Commercial Game Bird Flock in Butte County
Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial game bird flock in Butte County. Animal Disease Emergency Responders are working with the flock owner to mitigate the spread of disease. Movement restrictions are currently in place for Butte County only. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.