On Mar. 30, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flock (non-poultry) in Berkshire County, Massachusetts; a non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flock (non-poultry) in Johnson County, Wyoming; a commercial poultry flock in Johnston County, North Carolina; a non-commercial, backyard chicken flock (non-poultry) in Franklin County, Ohio; and a non-commercial, backyard chicken flock (poultry) in Kidder County, North Dakota.

Samples from all the flocks were first tested at state laboratories that are part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.

APHIS was working closely with state animal health officials in both states on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flocks did not enter the food system.