WASHINGTON — The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) stated on Jan. 13 that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in a backyard poultry flock in Puerto Rico.

The agency said this was the first case of the virus for domestic birds on the island since the outbreak began in 2022.

The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories located in Ames, Iowa, received samples from the flock that were eventually tested and confirmed positive for HPAI.

APHIS noted that it will work closely with Puerto Rican animal health officials on a joint incident response.

“As part of existing avian influenza response plans, APHIS and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture are conducting additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flock,” the agency said. “The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.” 

USDA noted that it continues to report these findings to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) as well as international trading partners. USDA also continues to communicate with trading partners to encourage the use of WOAH standards and minimize trade impacts. 

APHIS regularly updates any reported outbreaks in the United States here.