Avian influenza outbreaks continue to expand across the U.S., impacting poultry farms and backyard flocks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported additional H5N1 cases this week, including a second commercial chicken farm in Georgia—a key broiler-producing state. Another outbreak was confirmed in Georgia’s Elbert County, involving 130,400 birds at an industrial-scale facility.
The ban on live-bird sales and inspections has been extended to Georgia after the first case. Meanwhile, outbreaks have been reported in other states:
– **Maryland**: A producer reported H5N1 at a farm with 108,400 birds.
– **Virginia**: Two facilities—Caroline County (108,400 birds) and Accomack County (441,000 birds)—were confirmed.
Earlier this week, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced a presumed positive case in Accomack County and stated collaboration efforts on the Delmarva Peninsula to address the outbreak.
In Missouri, an egg-laying farm in Newton County tested positive with 1,175,000 birds. Backyard farms also reported cases:
– **Oregon Umatilla County**: A backyard flock of 50 birds was confirmed.
Additional detections include H5N1 in cats and cows:
– Six domestic cat confirmations across five states, mostly from January samples.
– One harbor seal (Cook County, Illinois) and one serval (Kent County, Michigan) also tested positive.
Dairy herds saw another detection this week, raising the national total to 930 cases for cows. This latest update underscores the ongoing challenge of avian influenza in multiple species across the U.S., urging continued vigilance and control measures.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/h5n1-strikes-more-us-poultry-flocks-pet-cats