Veterinary Public Health Program
313 N Figueroa St. Rm 1127
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel (213) 288-7060
Fax (213) 481-2375 vet@ph.lacounty.gov
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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Los Angeles
County
Report sick or dead birds: Members of the public can report
sick or dead birds to Veterinary Public Health using this
online reporting form.
Animal control/veterinary staff can report sick or dead birds
using this form.
To protect birds, take down bird feeders and bird baths to reduce the spread of the virus. Do not allow wild birds to have contact with domestic birds or poultry.
The risk to the general public's health from this H5N1 virus is
low.
Read more about HPAI and other ways to protect birds here.
Rabies
Did you know?
As of November 15, 2022, fifty rabid bats have been
found in Los Angeles County.
In 2021, sixty-eight rabid bats were found in Los
Angeles County. This is the highest recorded
number of rabid bats found in LA County since testing of
bats for rabies began in 1961.
One Health is the concept that human health is deeply connected to the health of animals and the environment which we all share.
Examples of common One Health issues include: Diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals, antibiotic-resistant germs, diseases from mosquitos and ticks, contamination of water, diseases in food animals, and the human-animal bond.
Click here to learn more about One Health issues both in Los Angeles County and globally.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) Detected in
California
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is a lethal disease that was found in wild rabbits in California in May 2020. RHD does not affect humans but is an important disease in both wild and pet rabbits.
A quarantine was recently put into effect to prevent rabbits and their products from being brought into the state.
It is very important to teach children how to safely
interact with animals and to consider the health of both
children and pets in the family. Promoting
responsible pet ownership and treating animals with
compassion are the foundations for a successful
relationship between children and pets.
In response to natural disasters and international
events, animal rescue groups
based in Los Angeles County have saved hundreds of animals.
When bringing rescued pets into Los Angeles County, it is possible to
unintentionally bring in disease as well.
Learn
more about how to prevent the spread of disease when rescuing pets. 9.21.2017
Tracking West Nile Virus in Dead Birds
Due to the department's emergency response to
COVID-19, dead bird testing by VPH has been
temporarily suspended as of March 2020.
3.5.2020
Please continue to report dead birds in Los Angeles
County to the State of
California's West Nile Virus program
here or
by calling
877-968-2473.
In California, it is illegal to give cannabis or cannabis products to pets. There is currently very little research on the safety of cannabis pet products.
Click here for more information on cannabis & pets.
10.16.2018
Please report cases of cannabis toxicity in pets to help us identify potentially poisonous products.
An outbreak of Virulent
Newcastle Disease (VND) in chickens was first detected
in Southern California (including Los Angeles
County) in May 2018. VND is not a food safety concern.
Properly cooked poultry products and eggs are safe to
eat. Learn more about
VND.
As
of June 1, 2020 - State and federal regulatory agencies
have declared an end to the VND quarantine in Southern
California. Extensive testing of the regulated
areas has been completed and no additional cases have
been detected. This allows poultry to again move
freely in California.
