Belgium Detects First Bird Flu Cases in Cats

Belgium has reported its first cases of H5 avian flu in domestic cats, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) confirmed last week.

The virus was detected in two outdoor cats owned by a poultry farmer in East Flanders, where an avian influenza outbreak struck the farm’s poultry in mid-February. Officials suggest that these animals were exposed by scavenging bird carcasses or consuming contaminated eggs.

David Clarinval, Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture, said: "This is the first...

Establishing a New World Screwworm Sterile Fly Barrier Zone in Mexico

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adjusting its New World screwworm (NWS) sterile fly dispersal strategy to push this devastating pest away from the United States and back toward the previously established biological barrier in Panama.  APHIS is shifting its dispersal efforts to Mexico—the northernmost point of the outbreak—using our scientifically proven eradication model. We successfully implemented this approach in previous eradication efforts, and it remains the most effective strategy...

National Chicken Council Offers Measure to Help Alleviate Egg Shortage in Wake of Bird Flu

Petition to FDA would divert 400 million eggs to market

In light of the pressure the current highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) outbreak is putting on the nation’s egg supply, and resulting record egg prices, the National Chicken Council (NCC) today petitioned the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse or modify an Obama-era regulation that forces the broiler industry (chickens raised for meat) to discard perfectly nutritious and safe eggs.

“With government risk assessments affirming their safety...

Zoetis Receives Conditional License from USDA for Avian Influenza Vaccine

Zoetis today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) has issued the company a conditional license for its Avian Influenza Vaccine, H5N2 Subtype, Killed Virus. The vaccine is labelled for use in chickens. The conditional license was granted on the demonstration of safety, purity, and reasonable expectation of efficacy based on serology data.

Zoetis is committed to supporting poultry producers with scientific solutions for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The decision to vaccinate commercial poultry flocks against HPAI rests solely with...

USDA Shares Enrollment of Six Additional States in Its National Milk Testing Strategy for H5N1

USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy Now Accounts for Two-Thirds of the Nation's Dairy Herds

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced an additional six states are enrolling in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS). This brings the total number of states testing under NMTS guidelines to 36 since the first round of states joined in early December.

With the enrollment of six additional states, the NMTS will account for bulk milk tank...

Bird Flu Detected in Indiana Turkey Flock Impacting More than 20,000 Birds 

The highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in a commercial turkey facility in Indiana. This marks the first detection in the state since January 2024, when 13,071 turkeys were affected in a previous outbreak.

As of January 4, 2025, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health has provided an update on the current situation regarding avian influenza in the state, available on their website here.

The latest outbreak was reported in a commercial turkey flock in Jay County... 

Properly Cooked Pork Remains Safe Amidst Oregon H5N1 Swine Detection

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) confirms there is no food safety concerns about the nation’s pork supply after the detection of H5N1 influenza in swine on a small backyard farm in Oregon. NPPC continues to work closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services and pork industry stakeholders on disease surveillance programs.

“The confirmed case in Oregon poses no threat to consumer health or food safety; properly handled and cooked pork products remain safe for...

CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update October 29, 2024.

CDC continues to respond to the public health challenge posed by a multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or "H5N1 bird flu," in dairy cows, poultry and other animals in the United States. CDC is working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), state public health and animal health officials, and other partners using a One Health approach.

Since April 2024, CDC, working with state public health departments...