On May 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a non-commercial backyard flock (poultry) in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

The test samples were collected from a duck and chicken flock in Monmouth County and were tested at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. The duck flock had experienced high mortality, and some displayed neurologic signs before succumbing to the disease.

Congruent testing was completed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, which confirmed detection of the disease on the evening of May 17, 2022.