CDFA sent this information out yesterday to all Fairground Managers and Board Chairs. Currently all Poultry and Dairy Shows are banned at all California Fairs and Shows until further notice. Please note, that in the letter it states that the state veterinarian “will continue to assess the threat over the next few months and rescind the ban if the situation changes.”
January 7, 2025
Dear Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibition Organizers and Managers:
H5N1 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) has become widespread among dairy cows and domestic poultry
(commercial and backyard flocks) in California. In fact, California Governor Gavin Newsom has
declared a state of emergency due to these detections. Since August 2024, there have been over
700 dairy herds and 60 poultry flocks affecting over 15 million birds with new dairies and flocks
being detected.
Due to the continued spread of H5N1 Bird Flu in California, the State Veterinarian has
implemented a ban on all California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows
immediately until further notice. This action is required to minimize the danger of exposing
people and non-infected cows and birds to the disease.
We urge dairy cow and poultry owners to prevent this devastating disease by continuing to practice
enhanced biosecurity measures and prevent commingling with wild bird populations, with other
poultry/dairy cows, and their owners. They should also avoid moving or sharing equipment that may
serve to transfer the virus. Dairy cow and poultry owners with flocks that have experienced any
unusual/suspicious illness or deaths should not move their cows, birds, or their milk or poultry
products and should call their veterinarian or our CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473).
Avian influenza is a highly contagious and often fatal disease in birds. The viral spread is promoted
by wild birds, especially in wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese, but many other wild bird species
can also be a source of spread. The disease spreads through movement of infected or exposed birds,
direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds or contact with virus on fomites
(surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and fur of rodents and other animals. In addition,
dairy cows have also been affected by the disease this year, so increased precautions should be
taken especially for farms that have both cows and poultry or are in the vicinity of a dairy cow farm.
Clinical signs of H5N1 bird flu in cows include decrease in feed consumption with a simultaneous
decrease in rumination and rumen motility, respiratory signs (including clear nasal discharge), acute
drop in milk production (severely affected cattle may have thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like
milk or produce no milk at all), abnormal tacky or loose feces, lethargy, dehydration, and fever. For
more information, please visit our CDFA H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock webpage.
Clinical signs of H5N1 bird flu (highly pathogenic) in poultry include sudden death, trouble breathing,
clear runny discharge (from nose, mouth, and eyes), lethargy, decreased food and water intake,
swelling (eyes, head, wattles, or combs), discolored or bruised comb, wattles, or legs,
stumbling/falling or twisted neck. For more information, please visit our CDFA HPAI H5N1 in Poultry
Animal Health Branch 1220 N Street Sacramento, California 95814 State of California
Telephone: 916-217-7517 E-mail: cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov www.cdfa.ca.gov Gavin Newsom, Governor
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
FOOD & AGRICULTURE
Karen Ross, Secretary
webpage.
The cooperation of cow and bird owners is critical in controlling this disease; when exposed cows
and birds are not moved and comingled, disease spread can be prevented. We will continue to
assess the threat over the next few months and rescind this ban if the situation changes. If you have
any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Thank you for your cooperation.
For up-to-date information about the HPAI 2022-24 outbreak, you can check the USDA APHIS
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza webpage.
Sincerely,
Annette Jones, Digitally signed by Annette Jones,
D.V.M.
D.V.M. Date: 2025.01.08 08:35:35 -08’00’
Dr. Annette Jones
State Veterinarian
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