As of December 4th 2015 the United States Department of Agriculture has sampled over 25,000 birds as part of their surveillance efforts. Thus far only two samples have tested positive for HPAI, and then only at a molecular level with no virus isolated. A report on the sampling that has occurred thus far can be found here: July 2015 – June 2016 Wild Bird Positive Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Cases in the United States.
We encourage anyone looking for more information on how surveillance is being carried out to look at the official Surveillance Plan for HPAI in Wild Waterfowl in the United States, which can be found here: Surveillance Plan for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Waterfowl in the United States. A map of the areas being sampled is included below, with the darker areas indicating more intense surveillance. As always, we remind you to begin conversations about outbreak response with your State Animal Health Officials before there is an actual outbreak to ensure the most positive outcome for your institution.
With the holiday season now underway we ask that you keep a look out for news of HPAI in the U.S. and send us any contacts you would like added to our distribution list for email updates.