ETIDIOH - NEW

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b was confirmed on one poultry premises in Culebra Municipality, Puerto Rico . This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in poultry from Puerto Rico. Full genotyping confirms the virus as a reassortant of the A3 genotype with North American wild bird lineage viruses ( AM PB2, PA, NP ). Comparisons of the virus to other recent detections from wild birds and North America reports are in progress. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Animal Health and Wildlife Officials, are conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and enhanced surveillance in response to the HPAI H5N1 related events. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6185 _____

WASHINGTON, January 13, 2025 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Puerto Rico .   This is the first case of HPAI in domestic birds in Puerto Rico during this outbreak, which began in February 2022. Samples from the flock were tested and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. APHIS is working closely with animal health officials in Puerto Rico on a joint incident response and will provide appropriate support as requested.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk associated with these avian influenza detections in birds remains low.  As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution. As part of existi...