Important message as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to spread across our nation and state

There are no United States-approved HPAI tests,  for use with poultry, available to backyard poultry keepers.  Please do NOT buy such tests, nor think using a test made for cattle, is appropriate for your flock.

As always, if you have unexplained illness in your flock, contact:

Table of Contents:

• Youth Activities at the 2024 Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers (GCSPF) Show
• Emergency Regulatory Disease found in California
• CALENDAR

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Youth Activities at the 2024 Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers (GCSPF) Show

In this issue:

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to attack in California
• Passing of Susie Reichel
• 2024 State Avian Bowl Qualifier

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to attack in California

       While HPAI detections can be expected during the periods of wild bird migrations, it is still a shock when they occur in our state.   At this writing on Dec.

                 Oct. 30, 2023

Urgent:  After 2+ months of being free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), California has a positive case.  The last case was a detection in wild birds in Monterey county.  The current case involves a commercial flock in Merced county.

While the HPAI risks from migrating waterfowl have long been known, more and more wild bird species are being infected with virus.   All poultry owners must increase their biosecurity efforts.

2023   Avian Bowl State Qualifier

Photo Caption: The 2023 California Senior Avian Bowl Champions – Duck, Duck, Goose from Merced, Contra Costa, and Sonoma Counties

Left to Right: Dr. Bradley, Rylin Gamble, Chloe Hausmann, and Tuilerie Gayeton

       My thanks to United Egg Producers (UEP) for sharing the following.   Over the past 6 days, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported 26 confirmations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).   Most of the confirmations were from backyard flocks.    The fall migration is continuing.    All bird owners should assume that the virus is present in wild birds.

HPAI Being discovered in more counties and in more flocks

       Dr. Jones has shared news that HPAI has been confirmed in one of our Mother Lode counties:

“September 13, 2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detected in a Backyard Flock in El Dorado County

      Thanks to our State Veterinarian, Dr. Jones, for keeping us informed.   Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) unfortunately are on the increase.  They are no longer restricted to wild birds, backyard flocks have tested positive as well.  I will continue to tell my readers what I have been saying for decades:  protect your birds - keep them under a solid cover!  

       From Dr. Jones:

     Dr. Annette Jones, our State Veterinarian, informed me today that HPAI has been confirmed in a WILD Canada goose in Sonoma County.   This is addition to positives in wild waterfowl in Colusa County.  Keep your birds indoors or under a SOLID cover.

             -Dr. Bradley

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) confirmed in Carson City, Nevada

   Want you to have the important announcement and directive below from our State Veterinarian, Dr. Jones.

                                           Be very careful with your birds,

                                            Dr. Bradley

In this Issue:

• OUR 2022 AVIAN BOWL CHAMPIONS
• HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI)
• CALENDAR

OUR 2022 AVIAN BOWL CHAMPIONS

Smiles, lively visiting, and cheers were all part of the gathering for the 2022 California Avian Bowl State Qualifier.   Teams came from all over the state to compete.   However, many competitors and families first caught up with old friends, not seen since the start of the pandemic.

    Thanks to Kevin Simmons (National Poultry Improvement Plan Coordinator, Arkansas) I am able to share this map with you.   No longer are the confirmed cases far, far away.   You can easily see that there are new cases in the west.   Please also note that BACKYARD and commercial flocks alike are being infected.   I will say it again: keep your birds under solid cover and practice the best biosecurity you can.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)  is now on our coast.   The OIE (also known as the World Organization for Animal Health) has confirmed that HPAI  has been isolated on the west coast of the United States.   A bald eagle that died in Vancouver, BC was positive for HPAI.

The following information from United Egg Producers has just been shared with me.  You may be under the false impression that HPAI is only hitting commercial poultry.  This is NOT the case, as New York has just experienced.  – Dr. Bradley

“The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Suffolk County, New York.”