News

                 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.

                                            -Dr. Bradley

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     I will be judging at the Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers Show on Sat., Feb. 25th.   I will be spending the day in the Gem & Mineral Bldg. (Big Fresno Fairgrouinds), first with Poultry Showmanship and then with the Avian Bowl State Qualifier.   Any PHIs who have a question or want to catch up, are welcome to drop by the Gem & Mineral Bldg and chat AFTER the conclusion of Avian Bowl (probably ~ 3 PM).

       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.

                                                                               -Dr. Bradley

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

“USDA confirmed that a backyard flock near Carson City, NV tested positive for HPAI.  There is also a mortality event in wild birds in Butte County, CA and preliminary findings suggest HPAI.  

Here is the 2022 Fair letter from the CDFA regarding Poultry Health Inspectors (PHIs).

    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.

                                              -Dr. Bradley

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.”

The following alert was just received from Dr Annette Jones, our California State Veterinarian:

“WASHINGTON, February 9, 2022 – 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 commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Indiana. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020.”

USDA confirmed today that a wild American wigeon (dabbling duck) in Colleton County, South Carolina has tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N2.   Be sure you are practicing the best biosecurity possible.

Mandatory PHI Refresher Course attendance: for any PHI who has not already communicated with Dr. Bradley, you need to contact Dr. Bradley by mail (1775 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite 110-129, Palm Springs, California 92264) BEFORE September 16th.  Note that this is the final notice for PHIs wishing to continue service as active PHIs.

Mandatory PHI Refresher Course attendance: for any PHI who has not already communicated with Dr. Bradley, you need to contact Dr. Bradley by mail (1775 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite 110-129, Palm Springs, California 92264) BEFORE Aug. 10th.