Avian Influenza

Steve and I recently watched a presentation on the avian flu, which has been spreading across the western US killing millions of birds since December 2014. Egg prices are drastically increasing. Though no cases have been detected here thus far, many fairs and other events have been canceling or considering canceling their poultry shows.

Because of all this, I wrote an article on avian influenza to be published in the Carroll Extension Newsletter.

Avian Influenza, or the bird flu, is a virus that infects wild birds and domestic poultry.  There are two strains of the virus, low pathogenic and highly pathogenic. Low path avian influenza, or LPAI, poses little threat to human health. High path avian influenza, or HPAI, has a high death rate in chicken and turkeys and spreads rapidly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk to people from HPAI H5 is low.

Since December 2014, USDA has confirmed cases of HPAI H5 in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways. The first detection was reported on December 19, 2014. Since then there have been 223 detections reported. As of June 17, 2015 the depopulation of 48,091,293 birds has been reported. The outbreaks began in backyard flocks and the virus is believed to have been transmitted by wild birds. It appears the virus was spreading in other ways as well due to the number of farms affected and their proximity to one another. So far affected states include: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The two strains that are being detected are H5N2 and H5N8. There is no treatment for the disease except for destruction of infected flocks.

Affected birds include layer chickens, mixed game fowl, turkeys, pullet chickens, mixed poultry, ducks, breeder chickens, and pheasants. It is being recommended that backyard, hobbyist, and small local poultry producers take extra precautions to prevent the flu from spreading to Virginia. So far, there have been no avian flu detected in the Atlantic Flyway, but the risk will continue this fall as birds begin to migrate south.

Warning signs of avian flu include:

- Sudden high mortality rate of 50-70 percent

- Reduced feed intake

- Reduced egg production and misshapen eggs

- Swelling of the face and hocks

- Sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge

The Animal andPlant Health Inspection Service has observed: sharing equipment between an infected and noninfected farm, employees moving between infected and noninfected farms, lack of cleaning and disinfection of vehicles moving between farms, and reports of rodents or small wild birds inside poultry houses. These are all examples of actions that could lead to the spread of avian influenza.

Agricultural authorities are advising that small-scale producers practice basic biosecurity to prevent the spread of avian flu to Virginia. Basic biosecurity practices should include:

- Protect flocks from wild birds by putting them in a coop if possible.

- Cover any exposed feed and water sources that your flock uses. Don’t let domestic birds have          access to streams or ponds.

- Limit exposure to other birds. Seal structures where birds nest and cover holes. If birds have outside  access, cover the area to reduce exposure.

- Do not use wild bird feeders or birdbaths that would attract other birds to areas that house poultry.

- If you hunt migratory birds you risk exposing your flock to the virus. Have footwear and equipment  that is dedicated to be used on only your poultry flock.

For further information, contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or Virginia Cooperative Extension- Carroll County.