Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Poultry

– 2025 Update – 

Bird flu (influenza A) is a contagious respiratory disease of birds. It spreads in bird secretions and contaminated dust. There is no at‑home treatment; suspected cases must be reported immediately. Your best defenses are everyday biosecurity and fast reporting. 

What it is 

• Cause: Influenza A viruses that infect birds (waterfowl and shorebirds are the main reservoirs). Some strains infect domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks) and occasionally people and other mammals. 
• Strain severity:

○ LPAI (low pathogenic): often mild signs in poultry. 

○ HPAI (high pathogenic): can cause severe disease and sudden death in poultry. Why this matters now (2024–2025) 

• H5N1 (HPAI) has affected commercial and backyard flocks nationwide since early 2022, and was detected in U.S. dairy cattle in March 2024; animal‑to‑human risk remains low for the public, higher for people with unprotected, close animal exposure. 
• Cats and other mammals have been infected (including pets on affected farms); avoid raw milk and raw poultry exposure to pets. 
• H7N9 (HPAI) was confirmed in a Mississippi broiler breeder flock on March 12, 2025—the first U.S. commercial HPAI H7 detection since 2017.

How it spreads 

• Direct contact with infected birds (saliva, nasal secretions, feces) and contaminated dust, litter, equipment, clothing, and shoes. 
• Virus can hitchhike on people, vehicles, feeders, egg trays, and live‑bird swaps; migratory waterfowl move viruses between regions. 

Signs in poultry (one, some, or all) 

• Sudden death in otherwise normal birds
• Extreme lethargy, drop in feed/water intake
• Respiratory signs: coughing, sneezing, gasping, nasal discharge
• Egg changes: sharp fall in production, soft/misshapen eggs
• Head/skin changes: purple/blue combs/wattles/legs; swollen head/eyelids/wattles/legs ● Nervous signs: loss of balance, falling, twisted neck (torticollis)
• Diarrhea

Alert: One unexplained death happens; many sick/dead birds is not normal. Report immediately. 

Report sick or dead birds: Call your State Veterinarian or USDA at 1‑866‑536‑7593. They will advise on sampling, testing, and control steps. 

Human & pet safety (practical rules) 

• Don’t touch sick/dead wild birds or poultry with bare hands. Use gloves and a mask/respirator, then wash hands. 
• No raw milk or raw dairy from any source; use only pasteurized products. Keep pets away from spilled milk and unpasteurized products. (Pasteurization inactivates H5N1.) 
• Keep cats and dogs away from barns, carcasses, and raw poultry/eggs; indoor‑only for cats during nearby outbreaks. 
• Public risk is low, but people with close animal exposure should use PPE and follow health‑department guidance.

Diagnosis & management 

• Testing: PCR at an approved lab. Authorities coordinate sampling. 
• Treatment: There is no approved treatment for flocks; control relies on quarantine, depopulation, disposal, and cleaning/disinfection directed by animal‑health officials. (Do not self‑medicate or sell/move birds.)

Prevention that works: Biosecurity, every day 

Use this 10‑point checklist: 

1. Control entry: Locked coop/house; signs; limit visitors and vehicle traffic. Keep a log of people/vehicles entering. 
2. Dedicated gear: Barn‑only boots/clothes; boot dip at entry; provide disposable boot covers for visitors. 
3. Clean → Disinfect: Remove organic matter, then apply an EPA‑listed disinfectant for avian influenza at label contact time; allow to dry. Repeat for crates, egg flats, and tools. 
4. Hands last: Wash hands on entry/exit; no food/drink in bird areas. 
5. Separate ages & species: Brooders and growers in separate air space. Don’t mix domestic ducks/geese with chickens/turkeys. 
6. Water control: Keep birds off ponds/ditches used by wild waterfowl; protect open water and feeders from wild‑bird access. 
7. Rodent & pest control: Tight feed storage; control rodents and insects. 
8. Quarantine new/returning birds 30 days; monitor temp, appetite, droppings daily. All Pets Veterinary •
   
9. No swaps during outbreaks: Avoid shows/live‑bird markets if HPAI is active in your region. 
10. Dead bird protocol: Double‑bag, label, refrigerate (not freeze) for testing if instructed; disinfect contact surfaces; change PPE.

Vaccination & movement 

• Vaccination: In the U.S., HPAI vaccination is regulated and not routinely available to backyard owners; policies may change by state and outbreak status. Consult your State Veterinarian before purchasing, importing, or using any AI vaccine. 
• Movement: During outbreaks, expect movement controls on birds, eggs, manure, and equipment from affected zones; comply with official directives to protect neighboring farms.

If you suspect bird flu — do this now 

1. Isolate affected birds; stop all movements on/off the property. 
2. Call your veterinarian or the USDA hotline 1‑866‑536‑7593 for next steps. 
3. Start entry controls & PPE (boots, gloves, mask); set up boot baths. 
4. Document: headcounts, ages, onset, signs, recent purchases/visits, feed/water sources. 5. Clean & disinfect high‑touch areas; prevent wild‑bird access to feed/water.

Trusted resources & reporting 

• USDA APHIS — Avian Influenza: Situation updates, biosecurity, and response playbooks. Hotline for sick/dead domestic birds: 1‑866‑536‑7593. 
• CDC — Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Animals & People: Current risk to humans and PPE for high‑exposure settings. 
• FDA — Food Safety During HPAI Events: Pasteurization and consumer guidance.
• AVMA — Avian Influenza Guidance: Veterinary summaries and practice resources. 
• State Veterinarian / Diagnostic Lab: Testing, sampling, and movement control (find on your state Dept. of Agriculture site).

We can help 

• Rapid triage by phone, coordination with state labs, and on‑farm biosecurity audits. ● Custom checklists for your setup (backyard or commercial) and training for family/staff. Questions or reporting help? Contact our veterinary team today at (603)882-0494.