North Carolina has been declared free of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI) by the World Organization for Animal Health. This announcement allows the state to resume poultry exports and international trade.
The state heavily relies on broilers, chickens raised for meat, as they represent over $5.6 billion in annual cash receipts for North Carolina farmers. Each year, more than 941 million broilers are raised in the state. Additionally, North Carolina ranks first in the nation’s poultry and egg cash receipts and is the second-largest turkey-producing state, with an annual production of over 29 million turkeys. In 2024, the state exported poultry products worth $347.4 million.
“This designated status change is a welcome one from the standpoint of trade,” stated Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. He also cautioned that “the virus causing HPAI is still present within wild bird populations in our state.” Troxler emphasized the importance of maintaining strict biosecurity measures and monitoring flocks for any signs of illness. He advised poultry owners to minimize exposure to wild birds.
Officials urge poultry owners to report any flocks experiencing high mortality rates to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Veterinary Division or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System using the designated contact numbers.
Further details on High Path Avian Influenza can be found on the North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s website.
