Avian Flu Confirmed in Rutherford County Backyard Flock: What WNC Residents Need to Know
By Marge | Published 2025-10-17T14:59:28.333+00:00
News
Rutherford County -- October 16, 2025: Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has officially been confirmed in a backyard poultry flock in Rutherford County.
This recent announcement from the Foothills Health District, in collaboration with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the N.C. Department of Agriculture, serves as a critical reminder to Western North Carolina residents about the persistent presence of the virus in the region.While the risk to the general public remains low, the confirmation in a domestic flock brings the reality of H5N1 directly to our communities. The affected household in Rutherford County is curren