Practice Biosecurity to Reduce the Risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is serious in our region. Avian influenza has the potential to be a catastrophic disease in poultry, especially in turkeys and mature chickens. Sometimes, death is so sudden that there are not many (if any) signs of the disease in most animals. Mortalities close to 100% of the flock may occur with HPAI infections. While a milder version of the disease (low pathogenic avian influenza or LPAI) is usually far more common in the United States, right now, there is a heightened risk for HPAI along the eastern half of the US.

The avian influenza virus can be introduced in a flock by several mechanisms. Waterfowl and shorebirds are known, natural carriers of Avian Influenza. Despite this infection being a natural disease in waterfowl, they seldom show overt clinical signs. However, they often serve as direct or indirect transmitters of the virus to poultry. The virus is known to be carried over vast distances by wild waterfowl, which may have migratory routes in close proximity to poultry farms or small/backyard flocks. Waterfowl often stop to rest in lakes, streams, and ponds during migration. The virus is shed in large numbers in the feces of infected animals and even though it is not a highly resistant organism, in the presence of organic matter (like mud or fecal material) it can survive for several months. For this reason, freshwater reservoirs could potentially serve to harbor the virus. It has been postulated that surface water, people, insects, or wild animals can serve to bring the virus from water reservoirs to the poultry farm. As an efficient and easy-to-follow biosecurity step, never use your personal shoes/boots on the farm; rather, keep dedicated farm footwear for all personnel. Once the virus has been introduced into a poultry farm, the transmission is different. The secretions and fecal material will be heavily contaminated with viruses which can be transported to another flock by people, vehicles, equipment, and other material that has not been properly disinfected. 

Recently, there have been five affected commercial flocks, five affected backyard flocks, and a total of 2,244,670 birds affected in this outbreak in Pennsylvania alone. There are also outbreaks on farms in nearby states. Migration of wild birds, the primary source of HPAI, will continue to increase as spring draws closer.

The economic impact of an HPAI outbreak could be devastating. The HPAI outbreak of 2014-2015 cost the USDA between $1-2 billion dollars to clean up. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture estimates a major outbreak of HPAI in Pennsylvania could have an economic impact of $13 billion, potentially affecting over 50,000 jobs and $3.2 billion in wages. PA ranks 4th in the nation in egg production and produces 8.2 billion eggs worth $478 million annually. PA also has significant meat chicken, turkey, gamebird, and vaccine egg production, which would be affected.

Therefore, it is critical that you maintain or improve your biosecurity efforts to help protect your flock. Penn State Extension Educators Dr. Gregory Martin and Dr. Ashley Bigge explain that the first key step is to keep birds inside an enclosure with four walls and a roof to prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings. Even if waterfowl or other birds do not land on your property, they will still be flying overhead and producing manure. Make sure you do not accidentally carry pathogens on your boots, vehicle, or other equipment. Clean and disinfect these items and surfaces when entering and exiting poultry spaces. If you are a poultry owner or caretaker, it is best to avoid areas with high concentrations of wild birds such as campgrounds and water recreation areas. If you do visit these areas, a carwash is recommended before returning to poultry premises.

Remember, disinfectants do not work on dirty surfaces. Use hot water and soap to first remove dirt and organic material (manure) before applying disinfectants. Choose disinfectants that are effective against avian influenza viruses. Follow label instructions for proper handling, storage, and safety. Disinfectants should also be insulated in cold weather to prevent freezing. Pay close attention to contact time requirements. For questions about biosecurity, contact your local Penn State Extension office to be connected to a member of our poultry team. We’d be happy to help!

If you suspect HPAI in your flock, it should be considered an emergency. The first sign is often sudden, unexplained mortality without any other clinical signs. Clinical signs of HPAI may also include decreased feed and/or water consumption, decreased energy (lethargy, depression), decreased egg production, soft-shelled, thin-shelled, or misshapen eggs, and swelling or purple discoloration of the head, eyelids, or legs (shanks and/or feet). Other clinical signs could include difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge, incoordination, stumbling, abnormal position and/or twisting of the head and neck, and diarrhea.

This article details biosecurity procedures and programs: Bio-Security on Your Farm Continues to be Important

See HPAI approved disinfectants and biosecurity resources here: Biosecurity Resources and Approved Disinfectants for HPAI — News — Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program

Need to Know information about HPAI in dairy cattle and poultry: HPAI: What You Need to Know About Dairy Cattle and Poultry 

Waiting until the problem worsens increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases to nearby premises. More information on HPAI can be found on our website: Avian Influenza.

To report sick or dead domestic poultry, please immediately call the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's 24-hour veterinarian at 717-772-2852, option 1. They will provide guidance on testing and other requirements. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also has a toll-free hotline that can be reached at 1-866-536-7593.

To report sick or dead wild birds, especially waterfowl, birds of prey, and vultures, please contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 1-833-742-9453, emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov, or using their online wildlife health survey tool at Wildlife Health | Game Commission | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Penn State faculty members and extension educators are serving on a statewide avian flu task force chaired by the Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary. The group has developed action plans and procedures related to biosecurity, depopulation and disposal of infected flocks, issues relevant to small or backyard flocks, and other concerns.