A backyard flock in Franklin County, North Carolina, has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI), according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh identified the positive sample. This marks the first confirmed case in Franklin County and the ninth in North Carolina since October 1.
Dr. Mike Martin, state veterinarian, stated, “HPAI has been found in wild birds throughout the state so reports of positive backyard flocks will likely happen on occasion. I encourage our commercial and backyard flock owners to continue to follow strict biosecurity measures and if your flock is experiencing a sudden higher-than-normal mortality rate, report it right away to your local veterinarian or to the NCDA&CS’ Veterinary Division at 919-707-3250.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control considers this type of HPAI virus a low risk to people. However, it is highly contagious among birds, affecting both commercial and backyard poultry flocks. The virus does not pose a food safety threat as infected birds do not enter the food supply.
NCDA&CS provides information about biosecurity practices and signs of HPAI on its website. A list of domestic bird cases of HPAI in North Carolina is also available online at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza.
For questions related to migratory birds, hunting, or wild waterfowl found dead on private property, residents are directed to visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s website at www.ncwildlife.org.
The NCDA&CS offers services such as crop inspection, food safety testing, farmers market operations, and manages research stations across the state (official website). The agency operates with more than 2,000 employees across 20 divisions (official website) and is overseen by an elected commissioner (official website). Its mission includes enhancing agriculture, supporting businesses, protecting consumers, and safeguarding natural resources for North Carolinians (official website).
