Bird flu confirmed in Puerto RicoBird flu confirmed in Puerto Rico

This is Puerto Rico's first case of HPAI in domestic birds during current outbreak.

Industry Release

January 13, 2025

2 Min Read
red-feathered backyard chickens on dirt ground
Preston Keres/U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Puerto Rico. This is the first case of HPAI in domestic birds in Puerto Rico during the current outbreak, which began in February 2022.

Samples from the flock were tested and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

APHIS stated it is working closely with animal health officials in Puerto Rico on a joint incident response and will provide appropriate support as requested. As part of existing avian influenza response plans, APHIS and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture are conducting additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flock.

USDA said it will report these findings to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) as well as international trading partners and continues to encourage trading partners to adhere to WOAH standards and minimize trade impacts.

California bans poultry and dairy cattle expositions

The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) announced a ban as of Jan. 7 on all poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows in the state due to the widespread nature of H5N1 avian influenza infections among dairy cows and domestic poultry (commercial and backyard flocks) in California.

Related:HPAI not only factor contributing to higher egg prices

Since August 2024, California has detected H5N1 in over 700 dairy herds and 60 poultry flocks, affecting more than 15 million birds.

Due to the continued spread of H5N1, the state veterinarian implemented the ban on all California poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows immediately until further notice. This action is required to minimize the danger of exposing people and non-infected cows and birds to the disease, CDFA reported.

“We urge dairy cow and poultry owners to prevent this devastating disease by continuing to practice enhanced biosecurity measures and prevent comingling with wild bird populations, with other poultry/dairy cows and their owners,” State Veterinarian Annette Jones said in the statement. “They should also avoid moving or sharing equipment that may serve to transfer the virus.”

She further urged dairy cattle and poultry owners whose animals have experienced any unusual/suspicious illness or deaths not to move the cows, birds or their milk or poultry products.

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