"A new strain of bird flu — H5N9 — has been detected in California’s Merced County at a commercial duck operation.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health — an international consortium of medical, veterinary and wildlife professionals that researches and reports on animal diseases — testing of ducks at the farm showed the animals had been infected by both the H5N1 and H5N9 strains.

“This case is not unexpected or alarming,” said Annette Jones, California state veterinarian, who said the California Department of Food and Agriculture is “always on alert for any H5 virus.”"

Susanne Rust reports for the Los Angeles Times January 28, 2025. [2]