Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has led to the loss of at least one commercial flock in exactly half of the U.S. states so far in 2022.
But some of those 25 affected states have been much harder hit. Below is a list that ranks the states by how many flocks have been depopulated as a result of HPAI infections. The information used to compile this list was obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as well as some state agriculture agencies. This list includes the confirmed cases of HPAI up to November 8.
1. Minnesota
Minnesota by far has had the most flocks affected by HPAI, with 77. All but one case has either been in a commercial meat turkey flock or turkey breeding stock flock, with the other being a commercial layer flock. The first two cases in Minnesota were confirmed on March 26, while the most recent one was confirmed on November 1.
2. South Dakota
South Dakota ranks second with 44 affected flocks. Most of this state’s confirmed cases has also involved some sort of turkey operation, but upland gamebird operations and one layer flock has also been affected, as has one breeder flock of an unspecified species. The state’s first case was confirmed on March 5, while the most recent case was confirmed on November 1.
3. Pennsylvania
To date, Pennsylvania has had 23 affected flocks. The types of operations infected in Pennsylvania has been diverse, with the broiler, layer, turkey and duck industries affected. The two most recent cases were confirmed on November 8, whereas the first case of HPAI in the state was confirmed on April 15.
4. Utah
Utah ranks fourth with 19 cases of HPAI. All but one case occurred in commercial meat turkey flocks, with the remaining case involving a layer flock. Utah’s first case was confirmed on April 25 while its most recent case was confirmed on October 25.
5. Iowa
HPAI has been confirmed in 17 commercial flocks in Iowa, affecting both the turkey and egg industries. The first case in the state was confirmed on March 6, while the most recent case was confirmed on November 6.
6. California
The presence of HPAI has been confirmed in 14 California flocks. The operations affected have been diverse, involving the broiler, turkey, egg and duck industries. The first case was confirmed on August 22 and the most recent case was confirmed on October 13.
7. Wisconsin
Eleven commercial flocks in Wisconsin have been struck by HPAI. These cases have involved turkeys, layers, ducks and upland gamebirds. All cases to date have been confirmed between March 14 and November 7.
8. Indiana and North Carolina
To date, nine commercial flocks in Indiana have had the presence of HPAI confirmed. All flocks affected so far have either involved meat turkeys, meat ducks or duck breeding stock. Among these cases was the first confirmed case of HPAI in a U.S. commercial flock, confirmed in a turkey operation on February 8. The state has not had a confirmed case since April 20.
North Carolina has also had nine commercial flocks affected. Six of those cases involved turkeys and the other three involved broilers. All nine cases were confirmed within a short window of time, ranging from March 29 to April 12.
10. Missouri and Nebraska
Missouri has had six flocks affected by HPAI. Four of those involved commercial meat turkeys, one was a turkey breeder replacement hen flock, and the other was a broiler flock. All of these cases were confirmed between March 4 and April 6.
Nebraska has also had six flocks infected, involving broilers, layers and upland gamebirds. These cases were all confirmed between March 22 and October 18.
12. Colorado and North Dakota
Five cases have been reported in Colorado, with three of those being egg layer flock. One layer pullet flock and one broiler breeder flock have also been affected. The state’s first case was confirmed on April 19 and the most recent was confirmed on September 21.
Also with five cases is North Dakota, with all five of those cases involving commercial meat turkeys. The first case in the state was confirmed on April 1, while the most recent case was confirmed on September 27.
14. Maryland
Four flocks in Maryland have been struck by HPAI. Two of those were layer flocks, one was a layer pullet flock and the other was a broiler flock. All four cases were confirmed in March.
15. Delaware
Delaware ranks 15th with three confirmed cases. All three affected different types of operations. These cases involved a commercial layer flock, a commercial layer pullet flock and a broiler flock. All of these cases were confirmed in March.
16. Kentucky
Kentucky has had two confirmed cases, with both of those cases confirmed in February. They were the second and third confirmed cases in commercial poultry in 2022. One was a broiler flock and the other was a turkey flock.
States with one case
The following states have all had one confirmed case in a commercial flock: Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, Oklahoma, New York and Texas.
Since flock sizes vary, a separate article appears on WATTPoultry.com that ranks the states in terms of how many birds have been lost to HPAI.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
Read our ongoing coverage of the global avian influenza outbreak.
