First H5N9 Case Reported In US After Deadly Bird Flu Hits California Duck Farm

In the last few days, APHIS reported a series of new H5N1 avian flu outbreaks across 11 states, further impacting both commercial and backyard poultry flocks. (Credit: Pixabay)

The United States has confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic H5N9 avian influenza in poultry, following an outbreak at a duck meat farm in Merced County, California, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) stated Monday.

Both H5N9 and H5N1 strains of avian flu were identified through tests by the US Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory (USDA NVSL), after the outbreak was first detected last November. The outbreak was initially detected last November, after clinical signs emerged at the farm, including an increase in duck deaths.