Sacramento County officials confirmed Thursday that two backyard poultry flocks have been destroyed after testing positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture detected the first infection on Oct. 5, with a second case following on Oct. 23, according to a county health advisory released Thursday. Every bird in both infected flocks was euthanized to halt the deadly virus, though authorities have not disclosed the total number killed or the specific locations involved.
State agriculture officials have stopped short of imposing countywide restrictions on poultry movement despite the twin discoveries. Sacramento County Public Health is now working to identify and contact individuals who may have been exposed to the infected birds.
Officials stressed that the overall public health risk remains “low.”
The virus poses a far greater threat to poultry than to people, causing severe illness and sudden death among chickens, ducks, turkeys and other birds. Wild birds, particularly ducks and geese, serve as major carriers and can introduce the disease to otherwise healthy backyard flocks.
The infection can also spread through contaminated clothing, shoes, equipment and other surfaces, making it possible for poultry owners to unknowingly carry the virus between birds.
County officials are urging residents to keep their chickens and other poultry away from wild birds, regularly disinfect equipment and monitor their flocks for alarming symptoms. Warning signs include breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, swelling around the eyes or head, unusual discharge and stumbling.
The virus can infect humans, although such cases remain uncommon. According to the Cleveland Clinic, people can contract bird flu through exposure to infected animals’ saliva, respiratory droplets, feces or other bodily fluids. The virus enters the body when contaminated particles are inhaled or transferred into the eyes, nose or mouth.
While human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, infections can lead to life-threatening complications, including pneumonia, sepsis, acute respiratory distress and respiratory failure. Human bird flu infections have been reported in the United States since 2024.
Health experts emphasize that properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat, as does pasteurized milk.
Sacramento officials are warning residents not to touch sick, injured or dead wild birds and to seek medical advice if symptoms develop after possible exposure.
Sacramento County Public Health continues its contact tracing efforts among potentially exposed individuals as agriculture monitors for additional flock infections.