Sonoma County Lifts Avian Flu Emergency, Poultry Farmers Begin Recovery Journey
After weathering a devastating avian flu outbreak, Sonoma County's poultry farmers can finally see a ray of hope on the horizon. The emergency that gripped the region since early December 2023 has been lifted today, setting the stage for a hard-earned recovery process for the local agricultural community. The county's Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to cease the emergency proclamation, indicating a significant turn of events since the flu was first detected at two poultry farms and led to the culling of 250,000 birds.
According to Sonoma County's official announcement, no new cases have been recorded in the county's commercial flocks since February 1st, and the quarantine for affected producers has finally expired. In the wake of these developments, authorities are now to begin actively supporting the affected farms in their attempts to repopulate and reboot their operations. "The avian flu has devastated local poultry farmers," said Supervisor David Rabbitt, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Now we turn to the recovery process and will continue to do everything possible to support our multi-generational family farmers."
The outbreak's far-reaching impact was not confined to poultry alone. The $20 million loss from the necessary euthanization of 1.2 million birds has ricocheted through the local economy, affecting food production, supply chains, and a range of other industries. Local emergency assistance was coordinated across multiple departments, pointing to a community grappling collectively with the ramifications of the flu's swift spread. Critical to this response was the tripartite partnership between the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures, the Department of Emergency Management, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Wild birds, especially migratory species like ducks and geese, have been identified to help significantly spread the virus. However, the risk to human health remains low, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The official sources have urged vigilance among poultry owners and the public, with a Sick Bird Hotline at (866) 922-BIRD (2473) and a dedicated phone line for inquiries regarding the avian flu at (916) 217-7517 or via email at [email protected].
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