Official Site of The State of New Jersey

October 13, 2026

Dear Registered Poultry Distributor:

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in live bird markets, commercial poultry, backyard flocks, and wild birds throughout the nation in an ongoing outbreak since 2022. In this outbreak, all 50 states and Puerto Rico have seen affected poultry, including chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, and game birds raised in captivity. In addition, since 2024, twenty states have documented HPAI in other domestic livestock, including dairy cattle, dairy goats, pigs and alpacas. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has also reported several human cases in individuals who had close contact with infected livestock. 

Please continue to stay vigilant and remember the following:

• Monitor birds for signs of illness and death.
• Report significant illness and/or poultry deaths to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture as stated in your signed biosecurity protocol.
• Store dead poultry in a sealed container or double bag and dispose them in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Do not expose dead poultry to the environment, other poultry, or to wildlife/wild birds. 
• Wash your hands after handling sick or dead birds.
• Strongly discourage your drivers from entering live bird markets.
• If the driver absolutely must enter the market, protective shoe covers should be worn and disposed of at the market. 
• Maintain cleaning and disinfecting supplies in each delivery vehicle in case delivery staff needs to enter a live bird market. These supplies can include a bucket, spray bottle, water, approved disinfectant, and a brush for cleaning shoes, vehicle flooring, and tires.  Disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be found here.

At this time, standard New Jersey import requirements (avian influenza testing and poultry inspection certificate and/or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) must be met to ascertain the health and welfare of New Jersey poultry.  The detection of HPAI in the New Jersey Live Bird Marketing System will continue to seriously impact business continuity and disrupt timely poultry movement for an extended period. Negative avian influenza results before movement helps ensure that the live bird marketing system remains free of HPAI and its associated impacts. For the latest update on the national outbreak visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/ai.  If you have further inquiries about a state’s current status which could impact the importation of poultry into the New Jersey Live Bird Marketing System, please contact a representative of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture or the main office of the Division of Animal Health. 

State and federal inspectors will continue to perform routine inspections and sampling for avian influenza at your facility and in live bird markets. The Division of Animal Health appreciates your continued commitment to poultry health and is dedicated to our partnership in preventing the spread of this disease.  If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Animal Health at (609)-671-6400.

Sincerely, 

Amar Patil DVM, MVSc, PhD, Diplomate ACVM

Director, Division of Animal Health/ NJ State Veterinarian

Cc: Live Bird Market Owners