USDA reports Puerto Rico's first case of avian influenza in domestic birds during current outbreak

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A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic birds in Puerto Rico has been reported. This marks the first instance of the virus in domestic birds in Puerto Rico since the onset of the outbreak in February 2022.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of the virus in a backyard poultry flock in Puerto Rico on January 13, 2025. Flock samples were confirmed positive for HPAI after testing at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, according to an APHIS announcement.¹

Further surveillance and testing in regions around the affected flock are being conducted by the APHIS and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture as part of ongoing avian influenza response plans, according to the agency.¹

“The United States has the strongest [artificial intelligence (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,” wrote the APHIS in its release.¹

Findings will be reported by the USDA to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and its international trading partners. “USDA also continues to communicate with trading partners to encourage adherence to WOAH standards and minimize trade impacts,” the release continued.¹

WOAH trade guidelines encourage countries to base trade restrictions on sound science. These guidelines also ask countries to limit restrictions, when possible, to specific regions and animals, as well as animal products that present a risk of disease spread. They also advise against banning international poultry trade in reaction to cases in nonpoultry species.

APHIS advised in its announcement those engaged in poultry production, including both small backyard and large commercial producers, to assess their biosecurity activity and practice good biosecurity habits. The agency also urged all bird owners to avoid contact between their birds and wild birds, and report ill birds or unusual bird deaths to state and/or federal officials through their state veterinarian or APHIS at 1-866-536-7593.¹

“APHIS urges producers to consider bringing birds indoors, when possible, to further prevent exposures. The Animal Health Protection Act authorizes APHIS to provide indemnity payments to producers for birds and eggs that must be depopulated during a disease response,” wrote the APHIS in the release.¹ “APHIS also provides compensation for disposal activities and virus elimination activities. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found on APHIS’ Defend the Flock webpage.”

Currently, the public health risk from avian influenza is low, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).² Avian influenza activity in humans is being monitored by the CDC with flu surveillance systems.²

As of January 10, 2025, 133,910,844 poultry and 924 dairy herds have been affected by HPAI. Fifty states have had outbreaks in poultry, with 16 seeing outbreaks in dairy cows. As of January 7, 2025, HPAI has been detected in 10,948 wild birds. In wild birds, the virus has been confirmed in 51 jurisdictions, according to the CDC.²

References

1. USDA confirms highly pathogenic avian influenza in backyard non-poultry flock in Puerto Rico. News release. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. January 13, 2025. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-backyard-non-poultry-2#:~:text=This%20is%20the%20first%20case,Services%20Laboratories%20in%20Ames%2C%20Iowa.
2. H5 bird flu: Current situation. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm