WASHINGTON — Another major case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed on Jan. 7, affecting more than 2.7 million commercial laying hens in Hyde County, NC.
The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh, NC, confirmed the virus with another confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.
Officials said this was the first HPAI case affecting commercial poultry flock in the state since February 2024. Before this latest confirmation North Carolina had posted 11 commercial flocks and eight backyard flocks.
“Since 2022, HPAI has impacted more than 130 million birds across all 50 states,” said Mike Martin, DVM, state veterinarian for North Carolina. “With HPAI being pervasive in some wild bird populations and the recent cases around the country, all flock owners, commercial and backyard, should remain vigilant with their biosecurity.”
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service also confirmed that a commercial turkey flock in Jay County, Ind., was dealing with HPAI on Jan. 7. The agency reported 19,900 birds were affected.