Since the beginning of 2022, over 450 cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been identified in U.S. wild bird populations. Cases in backyard and commercial poultry flocks are on the rise, and it’s important now more than ever to keep an eye out for suddenly high mortality in your flocks and to report any suspicious whole-flock illness.
What is Avian Influenza (AI)?
Avian Influenza is a highly contagious poultry virus that has the potential to cause large financial losses to the U.S. poultry industry. A highly pathogenic strain (HPAI), H5N1, last hit the U.S. in 2014-2015, and was considered the nation’s largest animal health emergency. Over 200 cases of the disease were found in commercial flocks, backyard flocks, and wild birds. More than 50 million birds were affected and subsequently died or were euthanized on more than 200 farms in 15 states.
Where does it come from?
Waterfowl, both wild and domestic, act as carriers. Since the outbreak of 2014-2015, scientists have been monitoring wild bird populations, and waterfowl hunters send their harvested birds in for testing. Wild waterfowl regularly carry low-pathogenic strains of the virus, but it can easily mutate to a highly pathogenic strain, as we’ve seen this year.
Why should I be concerned?
Two laboratory-confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, one in a pheasant flock in Dutchess County and one in a backyard flock in Ulster County, were identified in NYS on Thursday, February 24th. These follow the case identified in a backyard flock in Suffolk County on February 19th. These flocks have been euthanized to help control the spread of the virus.
While these are only three cases, it is anticipated that there will be many more. There are currently over 375 cases that have been identified in wild bird populations along the eastern portion of the United States. As of March 17th, 2022 there have been 37 cases in backyard and commercial poultry flocks across the eastern and central U.S.. Cases in commercial and backyard flocks will likely increase as wild waterfowl migrate northward in the coming months.
How does it spread?
HPAI lives in the respiratory and/or intestinal tract of birds. It can be picked up from contact with infected feces, surfaces, or through the air, though ariel transmission from farm to farm is unlikely. It can be transported on infected feed, clothing, or equipment. Once on the farm, the disease is readily passed from bird to bird, infecting an entire flock quickly.
Which flocks are affected?
Flocks of any size, from back yard to commercial, and any species can be affected.
Common symptoms:
Any birds can be affected, but birds other than waterfowl react most strongly to the virus. Poultry infected with HPAI may show one or more of the following symptoms:
- Sudden death without clinical signs
- Lack of energy and appetite
- Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles, and hocks
- Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs
- Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing
- Discoordination
- Diarrhea
A high level of mortality without any clinical signs is known to be a hallmark of the virus. In some cases, expect 100% of the flock to die within a few days. Regardless of how the disease presents, a large portion of the birds in a flock will be affected. Waterfowl may carry the virus but not show symptoms.
What do I do if I think I have HPAI in my flock?
Report it! If your birds are sick or dying, it's important to report it immediately so that we can stop the spread to any other flocks. You can call:
- NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets: 518-457-3502
- USDA (United States Department of Agriculture): 866-536-7593
- Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office
What can I do to manage for it?
Because there is not a vaccine currently available in the U.S. for this disease, keeping it out through biosecurity is going to be the best course of action. The easy-to-follow biosecurity principles below can go a long way to keeping your birds safe from disease:
- Establishing an "all-in, all-out" flock-management policy
- Protecting against exposure to wild birds or water or ground contaminated by wild birds
- Closing bird areas to nonessential personnel or vehicles
- Providing employees with clean clothing and disinfection facilities and directions for their use
- Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting equipment and vehicles (including tires and undercarriage) when entering or leaving the farm
- Banning the borrowing or lending of equipment or vehicles
- Banning visits to other poultry farms, exhibitions, fairs, and sales or swap meets (if visits must occur, direct workers to change footwear and clothing on their return)
If you have any questions about this disease, please contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office. The information used to create this article is shared by the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).
This article was last updated on March 25, 2022. Media requests can be directed to ccecommunications [at] cornell.edu (cce-communications[at]cornell[dot]edu).
Contributed by CCE Livestock Specialist Amy Barkley. Additional information can be found in this fact sheet from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and on the USDA website. If you have any questions about this disease, please contact Amy Barkley at (716) 640-0844 or amb544 [at] cornell.edu (amb544[at]cornell[dot]edu). The information used to create this article is shared by the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).
New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) is a collaborative educational network based at Cornell University and dedicated to educating New York residents about preventing, preparing for and recovering from emergencies and disasters. NY EDEN is working with New York State Agriculture and Markets to provide resources and updates to poultry producers.
