California has experienced a significant outbreak of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as the bird flu. The virus has spread rapidly, affecting many dairy herds, and has also been detected in poultry farms, leading to a state of emergency declaration and a ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is working with San Bernardino County Public Health and Agriculture/Weights & Measures to ensure resources such as guidance handouts, FAQs, news releases, and biosecurity measures are shared with poultry farms, dairies, backyard flock owners, and workers across the county.
To help inform county residents, these resources are available on San Bernardino County’s Agriculture/Weights & Measures and Public Health websites.
In the last 30 days, following an investigation by CDFA and rapid disease detection by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of H5N1 bird flu in San Bernardino County dairy farms.
Since California’s first detection of H5N1 bird flu in dairies in August 2024, there have been a total of 755 infected dairies with 422 of those affected, fully recovered and released from quarantine. All quarantine released dairies will be placed on a surveillance list for bi-monthly testing to maintain continued monitoring of the virus in California.
On Dec. 18, Gov. Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to streamline and expedite the state’s response to Avian Influenza A (H5N1).
To view CDFA’s resources regarding H5N1 bird flu, please visit their website. For local questions and concerns, please email the department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures at awm@awm.sbcounty.gov or visit the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health’s website at dph.sbcounty.gov/birdflu.
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