H5N1 Detected in Two Farms in Sonoma County

The California Department of Food and Agriculture advised that H5N1 has been detected in two poultry farms in Sonoma County. The complete text of the advisement released by CDFA is below. Sonoma County Department of Health Services is reaching out to Health Care Coalition, and Infectious Disease Task Force members to ensure you are aware of the situation and to provide guidance in the unlikely event that a poultry farm worker or household contact presents to a healthcare facility with symptoms consistent with H5N1 infection (see below). Sonoma County Public Health is in contact with both farms and has begun surveillance of all identified workers for any sign of potential H5N1 infections. To date, all workers have been asymptomatic. Public Health staff will continue surveillance throughout the potential incubation period.

Sonoma County clinicians should be aware of the signs and symptoms of H5N1 infection in the event they see a symptomatic poultry farm worker a family member.

Actions Requested of Clinicians (from California Department of Public Health):

• Healthcare providers should consider avian influenza A(H5N1) in potentially exposed persons with acute respiratory symptoms and/or conjunctivitis and recent exposure to poultry suspected or confirmed to have avian influenza A.
• Providers should immediately report any suspected human avian influenza A(H5N1) infections to the Sonoma County Public Health Division: (707) 565-4568
• Testing of respiratory and conjunctival specimens for avian influenza A(H5N1) is available at some public health laboratories and commercial laboratories.
• Antiviral treatment is recommended for patients suspected or confirmed to have avian influenza A(H5N1) infection and antiviral prophylaxis is recommended for their close (e.g., household) contacts.
• Healthcare providers should follow standard, contact, and airborne precautions when caring for patients suspected of having avian influenza A(H5N1) infection.
• Further information for clinicians can be found on the Sonoma County Public Health Website at: CDPH Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Health Information for Health Professionals (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/BirdFluHP.aspx)

If you have further questions please contact phnurse@sonomacounty.gov.

Advisement from the California Department of Food and Agriculture

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 commercial owner to quickly respond and movement restrictions have been placed in Sonoma County as part of rapidly containing the spread. 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 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 Bird 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.