Symptoms of a low pathogenic form of avian flu virus in poultry can include ruffled feathers, lower feed consumption, and a drop in egg production, or there may be no symptoms at all. By contrast, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus causes severe illness and often kills the bird within 48 hours and the first sign may be dead birds. More than 90% of birds in a flock may die from infection with highly pathogenic avian flu viruses.
What should I do if some of the chickens in my backyard flock die unexpectedly? |
To assist with surveillance for avian flu, Public Health and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) ask that you report deaths of domestic poultry when the cause of death is unknown, and especially if several birds die at about the same time. It is not necessary to report bird deaths if the cause is trauma, such as a coyote or dog attack.
When you call, you will be asked about the circumstances of the deaths, when the birds died, and how many died. In some cases, you may be asked to hold the poultry carcasses for laboratory testing for avian flu virus. In Seattle & King County, report dead poultry to Public Health’s Environmental Health Division at 206-205-4394. Outside of King County, report poultry deaths to WSDA at 360-902-1878.
You should wear rubber gloves or pick up dead birds using a shovel. If you are advised that the dead birds are not needed for laboratory testing, double bag in plastic bags and dispose of in the garbage. Sick birds or ones found dead should never be used for human consumption or fed to pets or other animals.
How do I register my chickens with the Department of Agriculture? |
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is participating in the National Animal Identification System. This program, which is in the implementation phase, seeks to identify all agricultural animals in the U.S. The goal is to be able to identify where affected animals have been within 48 hours of the confirmation of a disease outbreak or other animal health event.
As part of this program, livestock owners (including people with just a few backyard chickens, other poultry or farm animals) may voluntarily register their animals by type and location in the state's Premise Registration Program. For more information, contact the Department of Agriculture at 360-902-1878.
Can domestic poultry like chickens, turkeys, or ducks get avian flu from a wild bird? |
Yes. Chickens and other poultry can get avian flu from wild birds, and infection with highly pathogenic strains in domestic poultry will cause a high death rate. Waterfowl or other wild birds carrying avian flu virus may contaminate the water sources of domestic poultry, enter pens to feed on poultry food, or drop their feces into poultry houses and pens when flying over. People with backyard poultry should practice good disease prevention measures (“biosecurity”).
How do avian flu viruses spread on commercial poultry farms? |
Infected birds shed large amounts of influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces (droppings). In commercial egg and broiler poultry farms in the U.S., birds are generally housed in close proximity and, once introduced, avian flu viruses can spread rapidly between birds through direct contact between birds or through birds coming into contact with contaminated feed, bedding or equipment. The first sign of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial chicken farm may be sudden death of a large percentage of the birds. Most poultry producers use strict infection control and biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of an avian flu virus being introduced into their flocks.
Is it safe to have backyard chicken flocks? |
Yes. Currently, there is no H5N1 bird flu in our region. However, as a precaution, we recommend that backyard poultry be housed in a way that doesn’t allow contact with wild birds and prevents them from using the same pond or other water source as wild birds. Don’t allow wild birds to visit your chicken coop; use chicken wire to screen out wild birds like ducks. These measures can help prevent spread of more common bird diseases, such as salmonella, and will be even more important in the event that H5N1 avian flu virus is found in our region.
What will happen if my backyard flock gets avian flu? |
Washington State Department of Agriculture officials have a response plan for controlling the spread of avian flu if it is found in domestic poultry, whether found in a large commercial flock or a few backyard birds kept as pets or for egg production. The first step would be laboratory confirmation that the virus is present. Flocks with birds infected by a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza are to be quickly depopulated, meaning that the birds are euthanized, and the premises thoroughly disinfected. Poultry flocks within a certain distance from an infected flock may be quarantined and closely monitored for avian flu cases. Movement of people and equipment to and from affected premises may be restricted. For more information, contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture at 360-902-1800.
The owners of an infected poultry flock or any other people who had direct contact with the birds would be assessed by Public Health experts for their risk of catching avian flu virus and monitored for development of any symptoms of the disease. They and their health care provider would be given advice about the risk and any preventative measures that should be taken, such as taking antiviral medicine.
Is poultry quarantine and depopulation a public health or agricultural issue? |
In generally, these are agricultural measures. Since the chance of people getting avian flu from a bird is very low, the main reason that backyard poultry flocks and/or poultry farms are quarantined is to protect the health of birds in the area. Avian flu viruses are very contagious among birds, and since H5N1 virus is very deadly to poultry, it is important to all poultry operations to minimize the chance that anyone could accidentally bring the virus onto an uninfected farm. Depopulation and quarantine, where movement of people and equipment to and from the premises is strictly limited, is an effective way to help stop a bird flu outbreak from spreading.
Public Health would be involved in assessing and monitoring people who had had close contact with poultry on infected premises. Public Health is also involved in assuring that depopulated birds are disposed of in a safe manner and that infected premises are properly cleaned and disinfected.
What happens to all those dead birds? |
In commercial poultry operations, dead birds are often composted on the farm. The composting process kills the virus and eliminates the risk of inadvertently spreading the virus while transporting the dead birds. Smaller numbers of birds, such as a backyard flocks raised as a hobby, can’t be composted effectively but can be disposed of safely in other ways. The Department of Agriculture and Public Health officials would determine the best disposal method in these situations.
