The presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in commercial poultry or upland gamebird flocks in 27 U.S. states in 2024.
That is the same amount of states that had commercial flocks affected by the virus in 2022, but an increase from 2023, when it was detected in commercial flocks in 21 states.
Overall, 171 flocks in the United States were lost during the HPAI outbreak.
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), here is a breakdown of how each state compared to the others:
1. California
With 59 commercial flocks affected, California had far more farms struck by HPAI than any other state.
The presence of HPAI was detected in 12 California counties, with Merced and Fresno counties both reaching double digits. Merced County had 14 flocks affected and Fresno County had 11 flocks affected. Also harshly hit by HPAI were Stanislaus and Tulare counties, which respectively lost nine and seven flocks to avian influenza.
Among the flock types struck in California in 2024 were broilers, layers, meat turkeys, layer pullets, meat ducks and duck breeders.
2. Minnesota
For the second year in a row, Minnesota lost the second largest number of flocks to HPAI. In 2024, the state lost 24 flocks.
Nearly all of the flocks involved commercial meat turkeys, but turkey breeder hens, turkey breeder toms and an egg layer flock were also affected. One unspecified commercial breeding operation was also struck.
Stearns was the county that lost the most flocks at seven, followed by Meeker with five.
3. South Dakota
After losing more flocks than any other state in 2023, South Dakota ranked third for flock losses in 2024 with 17. Charles Mix and Beadle Counties each lost three flocks. Most flocks involved meat turkeys, but two upland gamebird flocks were also affected.
4. Michigan
Michigan lost three commercial egg laying flocks and eight commercial meat turkey flocks to HPAI in 2024 for a total of 11 flocks lost. All three layer flocks were in Ionia County. The majority of the turkey flocks lost were in Ottawa County.
5. Iowa
Iowa had 10 flocks affected by HPAI in 2024. Half of those involved laying hens and the other half involved meat turkeys.
6. Kansas
Of the seven commercial flocks in Kansas to be struck by HPAI in 2024, six were upland gamebird operations, while the other involved commercial egg layer pullets.
7. Utah and Missouri
Utah and Missouri both had HPAI confirmed in five commercial flocks. In Utah, four of the flocks were meat turkeys, three of which were in Piute County. The other case was a laying hen flock in Cache County.
All of Missouri’s cases involved turkeys. Three of those were meat turkey flocks in Dallas County and the other two were turkey breeder hen flocks in Cooper County.
9. Colorado
Four commercial flocks in Colorado were struck by HPAI. Three of those were in Weld County and one was in Delta County.
10. Oklahoma, Nebraska, Wisconsin and New Mexico
Oklahoma, Nebraska, Wisconsin and New Mexico each had three flocks hit by HPAI. All of Oklahoma’s cases were in Adair County – two meat turkey flocks and one broiler breeder flock. All of New Mexico’s cases were in multi-species breeder operations in Roosevelt County. Nebraska’s cases were all in separate counties, as were all of Wisconsin’s cases.
14. Illinois, Mississippi and North Carolina
Illinois, Mississippi and North Carolina each had two flocks affected in 2024, and in each state, no county had more than one flock infection. Illinois’ affected flocks involved turkeys – one meat turkey flock and one turkey breeder hen flock. Mississippi lost one broiler flock and one broiler breeder flock. Both flocks North Carolina lost involved meat turkeys.
States with 1 flock infection
Eleven states had one HPAI detection in a commercial flock in 2024. Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee each had a broiler flock affected. Arizona, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Washington all lost a layer flock. Indiana and North Dakota each lost a meat turkey flock, while South Carolina lost a commercial upland gamebird flock.
A similar article that ranks the states in terms of birds lost to HPAI in 2024 will appear on WATTPoultry.com.
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
