Take precautions to minimize risk of highly contagious avian influenza
The disease could be economically devastating to Virginia’s poultry industry and could cause backyard owners to lose their entire flock, says Michael Persia, a Virginia Tech expert.
“To help protect flocks, it’s important to take practical biosecurity measures to reduce and eliminate potential sources of infection,” Persia says. Photo by Preston Keres for the United States Department of Agriculture.
Poultry owners and industry members alike need to take precautions to protect their flocks from avian influenza, said Michael Persia, professor and Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist of poultry nutrition and management in the School of Animal Sciences in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Anyone involved with poultry production — from backyard chicken coop owners to large commercial producers — should review their biosecurity activities to protect their birds from the incurable disease. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and an available toolkit.
“The disease could be economically devastating to the industry and could also cause backyard owners to lose their entire flock,” Persia said. “To help protect flocks, it’s important to take practical biosecurity measures to reduce and eliminate potential sources of infection.”
These safety measures include the following:
- Reduce and eliminate any interaction with wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl, that carry the disease.
- Keep birds indoors. If not possible, keep the birds under cover outdoors.
- Use a dedicated pair of shoes for taking care of the birds to reduce the chance of bringing contaminants into their habitat.
- Do not feed or provide water outside. Feeding and hydration should be done indoors, which discourages wild birds from interacting with the habitat.
- Remove any bird baths or water features from around poultry housing.
- Wear clean clothes or have a dedicated coverall when interacting with the birds.
- Wash hands before and after any bird interactions.
While poultry owners may not know if their birds have the disease, there are common symptoms of avian influenza that are often present:
- Unexplained mortality is common with this strain of avian flu. If unexplained mortality is seen, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services should be contacted immediately.
- The birds are quieter than normal.
- Decrease in feed or water intake.
- Diarrhea with a green hue.
- Sneezing or coughing, as avian influenza is a respiratory disease.
- Discolored and swollen face/head and hocks.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides update-to-date information on the current status of avian influenza, including any public health concerns.
As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses.
To help reduce the spread of avian influenza, report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to the State Veterinarian’s Office at 804-692-0601 or at vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov.
