Last week, California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones
implemented a ban on all California Poultry and Dairy Cattle
Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows to minimize the danger of exposing
people and non-infected cows and birds to the H5N1 Avian
Influenza (Bird Flu). The ban took effect on January 7, 2025, and
will remain in effect until further notice.
Last month, Governor Newsom
proclaimed a State of Emergency in response to the growing
number of Bird Flu cases. Since August 2024, there have been over
700 dairy herds and 60 poultry flocks affecting over 15 million
birds with new dairies and flocks being detected. As of January
15, 2025, there have been 38 confirmed human cases of Bird Flu in
California. The California Department of Public Health continues
to monitor the situation and reports the current risk to the
public remains low.
The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) urges
dairy cow and poultry owners to continue practicing enhanced
biosecurity measures and prevent commingling with wild bird
populations, with other poultry/dairy cows, and their owners.
Dairy cow and poultry owners with flocks that have experienced
any unusual/suspicious illness or deaths should not move their
cows, birds, or their milk or poultry products and should call
their veterinarian or our CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD
(2473).
