Did you know that commercial poultry production is Georgia’s #1 agricultural commodity, contributing over $22.9 billion to Georgia’s economy? In addition to commercial poultry, there has been a 15-20% increase in backyard flocks in the last decade, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Survey. A major concern of both commercial and hobby flock owners alike is flock health and bird disease prevention. Since the beginning of 2022, there has been 10 cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza confirmed by USDA APHIS.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens with high morbidity and mortality rates. Outbreaks of HPAI are considered animal disease emergencies and are mandated to be reported at a state and federal level. The current HPAI cases were originally found along the coast in wild seabirds, who have a natural immunity to the disease. However, interaction between wild bird populations and domesticated flocks such as backyard and commercial producers can quickly introduce this disease into a flock. Cases of HPAI have been confirmed in backyard flocks in Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan, Maine, New York, and Virginia and in commercial flocks in Indiana, Kentucky, Delaware, and Missouri.
There are several things to look for if you suspect HPAI in your flock. Possible symptoms include soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, decreased egg production, lack of energy and appetite, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, and nasal discharge. More concerning symptoms include lack of coordination or paralysis, coughing and sneezing, purple discoloration of wattles, combs, and legs, swelling of head, eyelids, wattles, comb, and hocks, and sudden death without clinical signs. There is a “small flock decision guide” located at the UGA Avian Flu website that may be useful in determining if HPAI is present in your flock. Most typically, the high morbidity and mortality means that the flock may be perfectly normal one day and have a significant number of birds succumb to the illness in less than 48 hours.
If HPAI is suspected, you must contact the UGA Avian Influenza Hotline and report it. Depending on initial observations and lab results, the suspect flock will be quarantined. Once the sample is confirmed positive, a control area in a 6-mile radius of the premise will be established and quarantined and movement of poultry, livestock, and related equipment will be closely monitored to reduce risk of disease spread. If a flock is then confirmed to have HPAI by the National Veterinary Services Lab, the entire flock must be euthanized within 24 hours, and any other premises that have direct or indirect contact with the infected flock may also be quarantined and depopulated.
If you own a flock of birds, please be aware of this critical and devastating disease. You can protect your birds by preventing contact with wild populations (aka no free ranging; keep contained in coop/run) and following good biosecurity practices such as wearing dedicated footwear and clothing in your coop and disinfecting your shoes prior to entering the coop.
Questions or concerns? Let us know at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233.
