"At least three farms have tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu, or HPAI, in the past three weeks - early echoes of the 2023-24 winter outbreak that devastated the local industry. "If the wind changes, as it did a couple days ago, we're nervous," said Mike Weber, who co-owns egg-laying operations Sunrise Farms and Weber Family Farms in Petaluma. "We're on pins and needles until February. It's simply scary as hell. We don't get much sleep at night.""
"Like human flu, avian influenza consistently spikes in colder months. HPAI spreads along the continent's migratory flyways, including the Pacific Flyway that blankets the North Bay. Reichardt Duck Farm, in the Two Rock area west of Petaluma, was the first to test positive this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture logged the case Oct. 27. The Press Democrat was unable to independently verify the other two affected properties, which were confirmed by the USDA on Oct. 28 and Nov. 5."
Wintry conditions and migratory bird patterns have coincided with at least three confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases at Sonoma County poultry farms this fall, marking the first commercial California cases this winter. HPAI typically spikes in colder months and spreads along migratory flyways, including the Pacific Flyway that covers the North Bay. Reichardt Duck Farm in Two Rock logged the first positive test Oct. 27; two more properties were confirmed by the USDA on Oct. 28 and Nov. 5. Local egg and poultry operations remain on edge after massive losses in the 2023–24 outbreak; some suppliers claim enhanced biosecurity.
Read at The Mercury News
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