On Dec. 12, 2025, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial flock (poultry) in Shelby County, Texas. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in a commercial facility in Texas this year.

Following considerable mortality in the flock, samples were submitted to a Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed December 11, 2025.

The TAHC is working closely with federal animal health officials on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and as part of existing avian influenza response, are working to conduct surveillance in areas around the affected flock.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H5N1 viruses circulating in birds is believed to pose a low risk to the general public in the United States.

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.