Redwood City – The California Department of Food and Agriculture has confirmed the presence of H5N1 (bird flu) in a backyard poultry flock in San Mateo County. While there are currently no human cases of H5N1 from this flock, the detection of the disease highlights the risk of H5N1 to anyone who handles, lives or works near birds, including residents who keep small flocks in their yards.
San Mateo County’s Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is advising backyard poultry owners to watch for signs of avian influenza in their flock and to take appropriate biosecurity measures such as washing hands before and after handling birds and disinfecting footwear to reduce the risk of spreading bird flu.
“It’s important for residents who keep chickens and other birds in their yards to protect their flock and themselves from H5N1. There are simple actions every flock owner can take to prevent the disease from spreading,” said Koren Widdel, San Mateo County’s agricultural commissioner.
H5N1 has been detected in multiple counties throughout the California, with seasonal wild bird migration creating a high-risk period for all poultry owners, including those with backyard flocks. The disease is mainly spread by wild birds, especially in waterfowl such as ducks and geese, and through contact with the virus from surfaces such as hands, shoes, clothing or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals.
Bird flu is highly contagious among birds and often fatal. Clinical signs of H5N1 in poultry include sudden death, trouble breathing, clear runny discharge from the nose, mouth or eyes, lethargy, decreased food and water intake and swelling. More information is available from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk to the public from bird flu outbreaks is low; however, because other bird flu viruses have infected people, it is possible that human infections with these viruses could occur.
To help reduce the spread of bird flu:
- If your poultry experiences any unusual/suspicious illness or death, contact your veterinarian or the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) Sick Bird Hotline (866) 922-2473.
- Avoid touching or handling injured wildlife, including wild birds. For sick, injured or dead wild birds not on private property call the Peninsula Humane Society at 650-340-7022 or report to the appropriateCalifornia state agencies.
- For suspected bird flu in domestic cats or dogs, contact your veterinarian.
- If you suspect that you have contracted bird flu, contact your doctor.
The California state veterinarian has placed a ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows until further notice to protect the unaffected herds and flocks across the state. Since August 2024, bird flu has been detected in 700 dairy herds and 60 poultry flocks, affecting over 15 million birds in California.
For more information, check out CDFW’s informational flyer addressing frequently asked questions and links to additional resources. For guidance on keeping domestic birds healthy, please visit the CDFA and USDA websites.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org