As fall migration begins, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) are urging backyard bird owners to strengthen biosecurity measures to protect flocks from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The agencies are also asking the public to report wild bird deaths that meet specific criteria to wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov or by calling the DWR Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855.571.9003.
Dr. Charlie Broaddus, State Veterinarian at VDACS, stated, “As wild bird migrations are underway along the Atlantic Flyway, the HPAI virus remains present in our environment. All poultry owners, especially backyard flock owners, should maintain the highest level of biosecurity to protect their flocks.”
HPAI is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that can spread rapidly among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure. The virus can be transmitted through interactions between wild and domestic birds, as well as through contaminated equipment, vehicles, clothing, and shoes. It affects poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys, as well as wild birds including ducks, geese, shorebirds, and raptors. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service provides updated information on HPAI detections in commercial and backyard flocks at www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-commercial-backyard-flocks.
Symptoms of HPAI include sudden death without prior signs, reduced energy or appetite, decreased egg production, soft or misshapen eggs, swelling or purple discoloration of the head, eyelids, comb, or hocks, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, loss of coordination, and diarrhea.
Both small-scale and large-scale poultry producers are advised to review their biosecurity practices to protect their birds. Resources on biosecurity are available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-avian-influenza.shtml and www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources. Additional information for backyard flock owners is available at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
For those seeking information about HPAI in wild birds or guidelines for waterfowl hunters, the DWR Avian Influenza webpage offers further details.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has assessed the risk of HPAI infection to the general U.S. population as low. Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is effective at killing bacteria and viruses, including HPAI. The Virginia Department of Health provides more information on avian influenza through its website.
