Thousands of turkeys killed in California’s Merced County as officials battle avian flu outbreak

More than 64,000 turkeys at a Merced County poultry operation are being killed after agriculture officials recently discovered they were infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The highly contagious and deadly virus has become the scourge of the poultry industry since an outbreak began in 2022. More than 92 million poultry and wild birds have been killed in the U.S. as part of an eradication effort, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In Merced County, federal officials confirmed the virus was located at a commercial poultry operation on Sept. 18. The name and location of the ranch were not revealed by state or federal officials.

Once the virus was confirmed, officials launched a depopulation plan for the sick birds to contain the virus and prevent it from making other birds sick.

USDA officials said 64,800 turkeys will be killed through one of several methods, including a water-based foam, or carbon dioxide.

This year, the virus has also migrated to larger mammals, including the nation’s dairy cows and a small number of dairy workers, whose symptoms have been mild.

As of Monday, the USDA reports that 231 dairy herds have been affected in 14 states, including the nation’s top milk producer, California.

The number of California dairy herds infected with the avian flu has jumped in three weeks from three herds to 34. The dairies with the infected cows have been placed under quarantine to try and prevent the virus from spreading.

Infected dairy cows will lose their appetites, produce less milk and be lethargic. But they will recover after several weeks.

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