A turkey breeding facility in Wayne County, North Carolina, has confirmed a case of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI), according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh.
This marks the first instance of HPAI detected in commercial poultry within the state since January 2025. Before this incident, North Carolina reported 14 commercial and 12 backyard flocks affected by avian influenza. The current case involves approximately 9,500 turkeys.
“In recent months, cases of HPAI have increased across the country,” said State Veterinarian Mike Martin. “With HPAI in the wild bird population and in migratory flyways, commercial operators and backyard flock owners have remained on heightened watch for any signs of the virus in their flocks. Under HPAI protocols, we will be actively testing other flocks within the 10- kilometer zone in collaboration with our federal and industry partners.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control considers this strain a low risk to humans but notes it is highly contagious among birds. The agency also states that infected birds do not enter the food supply, so there is no threat to food safety.
“This case of HPAI should not impact the availability of turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday,” Martin said.
Officials are urging both commercial operations and backyard flock owners to maintain strict biosecurity measures. Anyone noticing sick or dying birds is advised to contact their local veterinarian or reach out to state veterinary authorities at 919-707-3250 or 919-733-3986.
Additional information about avian influenza cases in North Carolina since 2022 can be found at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza.
