Watt Poultry The virus was detected in a backyard flock in the U.S. territory, as well as in commercial poultry in Maryland and two Canadian provinces. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has made its way to Puerto Rico.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of HPAI in a backyard poultry flock in the U.S. territory.
This is the first case of HPAI in domestic birds in Puerto Rico during the 2022-25 outbreak. According to APHIS, samples from the flock were tested and confirmed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.
APHIS is working closely with animal health officials in Puerto Rico on a joint incident response and will provide appropriate support as requested. As part of existing avian influenza response plans, APHIS and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture are conducting additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flock.