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Avian Flu Hits NorCal Backyard Birds
24 Oct
Summary
- Two Northern California backyard flocks tested positive for avian influenza.
- Approximately 40 birds in Sacramento County and 50 in Solano County were affected.
- Avian flu symptoms can range from mild to sudden death.
Avian influenza has recently affected two backyard flocks in Northern California. In Sacramento County, approximately 40 birds were confirmed positive for the disease on October 5th. Subsequently, about 50 birds in a Solano County backyard flock tested positive on October 20th. These cases were confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Avian influenza, caused by specific influenza A viruses, can manifest with a wide range of symptoms. These can include loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, and distinct purple discoloration on the comb and wattles. In severe cases, birds may die suddenly with no prior observable symptoms.
The severity of avian flu depends on the strain and the affected species. Highly pathogenic strains are particularly dangerous, capable of decimating entire flocks rapidly. While less pathogenic strains may cause minimal illness, they can evolve to become more virulent in poultry. Importantly, avian influenza A viruses are not known to regularly infect humans.
