Animals and Wildlife

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly called bird flu, is a contagious and often fatal disease found in some populations of wild water fowl that can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl, as well as a wide variety of other domesticated and wild birds. 

• Wash your hands before and after handling your birds. This includes when handling birds from coop to coop. 
• Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing your birds into an enclosure that is covered.
• If you have bodies of water on your property such as ponds or ditches, consider draining them to avoid attracting wild birds, and keep your domestic birds  away from this potentially contaminated water. 
• Wash and disinfect boots and equipment when moving between coops. 
• Clean and disinfect equipment and other supplies between uses. 
• Clean and disinfect your shoes and vehicle tires after visiting feedstores and other places frequented by other poultry owners or wild bird hunters. 
• Avoid visiting places where wild birds congregate such as lakes and ponds.  

Please report any unusual or suspicious numbers of sick or dead domestic birds immediately to the CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at (866) 922-2473, as well as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Monitor your birds for the following symptoms: trouble breathing; clear, runny discharge from nose, mouth, and eyes; lethargy or lack of energy; loss of appetite; drinking less; swollen eyes, head, wattles, or combs; discolored or bruised comb, wattles, or legs; stumbling, falling, or twisted neck; or sudden death. 

For more information, please visit CDFA's Avian Heath Program and Avian Influenza wepage, as well as the following documents for poultry producers:

• Organic certifier exemption request
• CDFA poultry producer letter

HPAI in Dairy Cattle

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is investigating the possible introduction of HPAI at three dairy farms in the Central Valley. With HPAI detected in other dairies throughout the U.S., CDFA has been engaged with AWM as well as local farms and ranches, veterinarians, and other agencies to develop response plans and monitor for HPAI in poultry and livestock in the region. CDFA has created a dedicated HPAI in Livestock webpage that will continue to evolve as additional resources and information become available. Some of the info includes:

• CDFA Cattle Import Order
• Federal Testing Order
• Requirements and Recommendations for HPAI in Livestock
• Sampling Protocol
• CAHFS Lab Submission form
• Owner Hauler Statement
• Biosecurity Templates and Information
• Milk Safety
• Dairy Worker Safety

Additional resources:

• Avian Influenza One-Pager (Español) | CDPH
• Questions and Answers Regarding Milk Safety During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreaks | FDA
• Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) | FDA

Stay Informed

For the latest updates in California domestic poultry, follow us on social media and subscribe. You can find us on Facebook at Animal Health Branch – CDFA and on Instagram at AnimalHealthBranch_CDFA. 

For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.  

More information on avian influenza and how to protect flocks through biosecurity measures can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease detected in wild rabbit population for first time in California (May 2020)

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is a viral hemorrhagic disease that can affect both domesticated and wild rabbits.

The disease has an incubation period of 1-5 days and may cause rabbits to die suddenly without showing any outward signs of illness. In some cases, rabbits may show fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, spasms, difficulty breathing, blue-colored lips or mucous membranes, or bleeding from body cavities.

Rabbit owners should immediately contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Animal Health and Food Safety Services’ Animal Health Division at 916-900-5002 to report dead rabbits or rabbits with the noted symptoms.

To report dead wild rabbits or hares, please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Investigations Lab at 916-358-2790 or report online.

For more information on RHD, please visit the following links:

• CDFA Factsheet Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease
• CDFA Guidance on How to Keep Your Rabbits Safe from RHD
• United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) General Guidance for Disinfecting of RHD Contaminated Premises
• CDFA RHD Biosecurity Guidance for Veterinary Clinics Factsheet

Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND) Outbreak in Backyard and Commercial Poultry in Southern California

Virulent Newcastle disease is a highly contagious and fatal disease of poultry and other birds.

Bird owners should immediately contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473) if they spot symptoms in their birds including: coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, tremors, twisting of the neck and sudden death.

The see current areas affected, please visit the Map of VND Detections or Table of VND Detections.

For more information and updates on VND and how to protect your flock please visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch website.