Bird flu discovery prompts slaughter of multiple poultry flocks in Sacramento

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A disturbing bird flu discovery in Sacramento County has triggered the slaughter of two backyard poultry flocks, as health officials scramble to prevent the highly contagious virus from spreading to more birds and potentially humans.

County officials sounded the alarm Thursday after confirming two separate outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in backyard flocks. 

The California Department of Food and Agriculture confirmed the first infection on Oct. 5, followed by a second case on Oct. 23, according to a county health advisory released Thursday.

Every bird in both infected flocks was euthanized in an effort to stop the deadly virus from spreading, officials said. Authorities have not disclosed how many birds were killed or where the infected flocks were located.

Despite the troubling discoveries, state agriculture officials have not imposed restrictions on poultry movement throughout Sacramento County.

Meanwhile, Sacramento County Public Health is working to identify and contact people who may have been exposed to the infected birds.

Officials stressed that the overall public health risk remains “low.”

But the virus can be devastating to poultry, causing severe illness and sudden death among chickens, ducks, turkeys and other birds.

Wild birds, particularly ducks and geese, are major carriers of the disease and can introduce the virus to otherwise healthy backyard flocks.

The infection can also spread through contaminated clothing, shoes, equipment and other surfaces, making it possible for poultry owners to unknowingly carry the virus between birds.

County officials are urging residents to keep their chickens and other poultry away from wild birds, regularly disinfect equipment and monitor their flocks for alarming symptoms.

Warning signs include breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, swelling around the eyes or head, unusual discharge and stumbling.

The frightening virus can also infect humans, although such cases remain uncommon.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, people can contract bird flu through exposure to infected animals’ saliva, respiratory droplets, feces or other bodily fluids.

The virus can enter the body when contaminated particles are inhaled or transferred into the eyes, nose or mouth.

While human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, infections can lead to life-threatening complications, including pneumonia, sepsis, acute respiratory distress and respiratory failure.

Human bird flu infections have been reported in the United States since 2024.

However, health experts emphasize that properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat, as does pasteurized milk.

Sacramento officials are also warning residents not to touch sick, injured or dead wild birds and to seek medical advice if symptoms develop after possible exposure.

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