Quick answer
Bird flu (highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI) has affected more than 208 million US birds in 2,243 flocks since February 2022, and 1,211 of those flocks were backyard flocks, according to USDA APHIS data as of September 1, 2026. Cases are rising again with the fall migration.
- Fall migration has restarted cases: USDA counted 14 infected backyard flocks in October 2026, up from 7 in September, 4 in August and none in July.
- February 2026 was the worst month this year, with 11.42 million birds affected, mostly egg laying hens.
- Backyard flocks make up more than half of all infected flocks but only a tiny share of the birds.
- Eggs are cheap again for now: $2.27 a dozen in September 2026, down from the $6.23 record in March 2025.
This tracker pulls together the latest USDA, CDC and state numbers on bird flu in backyard and commercial flocks, what they mean for egg prices, and the simple steps that protect a small flock. We update it every month. All bird counts include birds culled to stop the spread, which is how USDA reports them.
How many birds have been affected by bird flu?
More than 208.33 million birds had been affected by September 1, 2026, across 50 states and Puerto Rico (USDA APHIS via WSDA). The total crossed 200 million in March 2026 after a brutal winter for egg farms in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Wisconsin.
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Birds affected since February 2022 | 208.33 million (as of Sep 1, 2026) | USDA APHIS via WSDA |
| Infected flocks since 2022 | 2,243 (1,032 commercial, 1,211 backyard) | USDA APHIS via WSDA |
| Worst month of 2026 | February, 11.42 million birds | Meatingplace |
| Birds affected January to May 2026 | 21.5 million | Meatingplace |
| Seasonal low, rolling 30 days | About 150,000 birds (August 2026) | CIDRAP |
| Backyard flocks confirmed, October 2026 | 14 (through October 24) | USDA APHIS dashboard |
| US human H5 cases since 2024 | 72 | CDC |
| Dairy herds infected in 2026 | 88 (as of September) | The Poultry Site |
How many backyard flocks have bird flu right now?
USDA’s dashboard showed 14 backyard flocks confirmed in October 2026 as of October 24, double September’s count. Summer was nearly quiet, with zero backyard cases in July (USDA APHIS).
Recent backyard detections reported by states and local news:
| Date confirmed | Where | Flock | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 20, 2026 | Solano County, California | Backyard, about 50 birds | CBS Sacramento |
| October 9, 2026 | Kittitas County, Washington | Backyard, small mixed flock | WSDA |
| October 5, 2026 | Sacramento County, California | Backyard, about 40 birds | CBS Sacramento |
| October 3, 2026 | Racine County, Wisconsin | Backyard, 121 birds | Hoodline |
Backyard flocks are now more than half of all infected flocks since 2022, even though they hold a tiny share of the birds. A single commercial egg farm can hold over a million hens, while a backyard flock often has fewer than 20.
Which commercial farms were hit most recently?
Turkey farms in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin have carried most of the fall wave, but egg farms are back on the list too. The biggest October case so far was an Illinois egg farm with 934,600 hens (WATTPoultry).
| Confirmed | State | Farm type | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 21, 2026 | North Dakota (Dickey County) | Meat turkeys | 60,600 |
| October 21, 2026 | South Dakota (Hanson County) | Meat turkeys | 20,000 |
| October 20, 2026 | Wisconsin (Barron County) | Meat turkeys | 41,400 |
| October 19, 2026 | Illinois | Egg laying hens | 934,600 |
| October 2026 | Kansas (Greeley County) | Upland gamebirds | 29,000 |
How does 2026 compare with earlier years?
About 58 million birds were affected in 2022 and about 22 million in 2023 (USDA APHIS). Commercial losses climbed back to about 50 million in 2024 (WATTPoultry) and about 54 million in 2025 (WATTPoultry). In 2026, 21.5 million birds were affected by the end of May, more than half of them in February alone (Meatingplace).
Which states have been hit hardest?
Ohio lost the most commercial birds in 2025 at 14.7 million, followed by Indiana at 8.6 million (WATTPoultry). In 2026 the winter wave centered on Pennsylvania, which has lost more than 14.6 million birds since 2022, about half of them in the first months of 2026 (WHYY).
| State | Commercial birds lost in 2025 | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 14,728,900 | 1 |
| Indiana | 8,632,600 | 2 |
| Missouri | 4,444,150 | 4 |
| Wisconsin | 3,572,000 | Top 5 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,327,600 | 7 |
| California | 1,263,700 | Top 10 |
| Iowa | 758,400 | 13 |
For backyard keepers the map looks different. Washington says it leads the nation in infected backyard flocks, with 67 since the outbreak began (WSDA), and Wisconsin has logged 26 domestic flock cases in 2026 alone (Hoodline).
Is bird flu still spreading in dairy cows?
Yes, but far less than in 2024. USDA counted 917 infected dairy herds in 2024 and 171 in 2025 (CIDRAP). In 2026 the count reached 88 herds by September (The Poultry Site).
Can you catch bird flu from backyard chickens?
It is possible but rare. CDC has reported 72 human H5 bird flu cases in the US since February 2024, mostly among dairy and poultry farm workers, and says the risk to the general public is low (CDC). Three cases have been tied to backyard flocks or wild birds (CORI report).
If your birds get sick, wear gloves and a mask when you handle them, wash up afterward, and call your state veterinarian rather than handling a die off on your own.
Does bird flu raise egg prices?
It does when laying hens are hit. More than 41 million birds were culled in December 2024 and January 2025 (CSIS), and eggs hit a record $6.23 a dozen in March 2025. Prices fell to $2.27 in September 2026 as the laying flock rebuilt to 384 million hens (BLS via FRED; USDA NASS).
Watch the large egg farm outbreaks in this tracker. When millions of layers are lost in a few weeks, store prices usually follow within a month or two. Our egg prices tracker follows the national average every month.
How do I protect my backyard flock from bird flu?
Wild ducks and geese carry the virus without looking sick, so the goal is to keep their droppings away from your birds. USDA’s Defend the Flock program recommends:
- Cover the run with a solid roof or tight netting so wild birds cannot land in it.
- Keep feed and water under cover and clean up spilled feed that draws wild birds.
- Use coop only boots or disinfect shoes, and keep visitors out of the run.
- Quarantine new birds for at least 30 days before they join your flock.
- Keep chickens away from ponds, ducks and geese, especially in fall and spring.
- Report sudden deaths to your state veterinarian or the USDA sick bird hotline at 1 866 536 7593.
What happens if your backyard flock tests positive?
Officials depopulate the birds on your property to stop the spread. Neighbors’ birds are not destroyed unless they also test positive (WSDA), though a surveillance zone of about 10 km is often set up around the farm (Hoodline). USDA pays indemnity for birds and eggs it orders destroyed, and you will need to clean and disinfect before restocking.
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Frequently asked questions
How many birds have been affected by bird flu in the US?
More than 208.33 million birds in 2,243 flocks had been affected by September 1, 2026, according to USDA APHIS. The outbreak began in February 2022 and has reached all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The count includes birds culled to stop the spread.
Is bird flu in backyard flocks right now?
Yes. USDA confirmed 14 backyard flocks with bird flu in October 2026 through October 24, up from 7 in September, 4 in August and zero in July. Cases rise every fall and spring when wild ducks and geese migrate.
Can I get bird flu from my backyard chickens?
It is rare. CDC has reported 72 human H5 bird flu cases in the US since February 2024, mostly farm workers, and calls the risk to the public low. Three cases have been linked to backyard flocks or wild birds. Wear gloves and a mask around sick birds and wash your hands.
How do I protect my chickens from bird flu?
Keep wild birds away. Cover the run, keep feed and water under a roof, use boots that never leave the coop area, quarantine new birds for 30 days and keep chickens away from ponds and wild ducks. Report sudden deaths to your state veterinarian.
What happens if my backyard flock gets bird flu?
State and USDA officials depopulate the birds on your property, and you must clean and disinfect before getting new birds. Neighbors’ birds are not destroyed unless they test positive. USDA pays indemnity for birds and eggs it orders destroyed.
Does bird flu affect egg prices?
Yes, when large egg farms are hit. After more than 41 million birds were culled in December 2024 and January 2025, eggs hit a record $6.23 a dozen in March 2025. Prices fell to $2.27 in September 2026 as the laying flock recovered to 384 million hens.
