How Will Avian Influenza Affect Us?

Photo from www.incnow.com

I am sure that by now almost all of you have heard or read the words “Avian Influenza” or “Bird Flu”.  While we have been extremely fortunate in our area to not have any cases (please knock on any wood that you have close by), we still cannot rest easy.  Even if you are a poultry producer or not, AI will affect you in some way, shape or form, and we all need to be proactive.

Avian Influenza (AI) has hit the American egg and turkey industries hard in the last few months with over 45 million chickens and turkeys killed. Several backyard flocks have been affected, and consumer pocket books will likely be feeling it soon.

The main effect will be on the price of eggs and turkeys.  AI has devastated the egg and turkey flocks and it will take many months for the infected facilities to come back into full production. The result may be a shortage of eggs and turkeys resulting in a major rise in the price of both. To date, meat chicken flocks have not been affected and no poultry (chicken and turkey) operation has been affected in McLean County.

UK Extension Associate for Poultry Dr. Jacquie Jacob explains in a recent article that Avian Influenza is caused by a very tricky virus and there are many different types known as strains. The different viruses are identified by their surface projections referred to as H and N. There are 16 different types of H’s and 9 types of N’s, making for a lot of possible combinations. To complicate things, even with the same H and N designation, the viruses can be classified as low path (LPAI) or high path (HPAI). The designation of LPAI or HPAI refers to the ability of the virus to kill birds. With the LPAI viruses the number of birds that die can be very low. In the case of HPAI types, however, mortality can reach 100% within a matter of days. The problem with the LPAI viruses is that they can easily change and become HPAI. The types of viruses of most concern are the H5’s and H7’s. We are currently dealing with H5N2, H5N8 and H5N1 HPAI strains. The current HPAI outbreak was first detected in western Canada and later detected in northern Washington State in December of 2014. Since then it has been detected in 15 states and has affected 212 farms. Iowa and Minnesota turkey and egg farms have been hit the hardest.

The Avian Influenza virus is believed to have been brought in by migratory waterfowl (ducks and geese). Waterfowl can carry the virus without getting sick. They shed the virus in their manure, infecting other birds. The HPAI virus has been detected in three of the four North American Flyways – Pacific, Central and Mississippi. At the moment there is no effective vaccine available for HPAI.

Anyone keeping poultry flocks, especially those with waterfowl, needs to be concerned about HPAI. While the majority of the American flocks affected have come from commercial operations, several backyard flocks have been infected as well. Most of these had mixed flocks which included ducks or geese.

To protect your flock: don’t attract wild birds by putting out bird feeders near your flocks; don’t introduce adult birds purchased from swap meets or flea markets; restrict access to your flocks; keep your work cloths and equipment clean; don’t borrow lawn and garden equipment tools or poultry supplies from other bird owners; and be on the alert for warning signs of Avian Influenza. The warning signs of AI in birds include sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, watery or green diarrhea, and purple discoloration of the combs, wattles and legs.

When the migratory waterfowl begin in the fall there is a greater chance that Avian Influenza will be detected along all four flyways. Small flock owners should discourage migratory birds from roosting on their farms. Eliminate feed sources and discourage birds through sound devices. This fall will require producers to be very diligent about hunting and being in the woods so as to not track back the virus to their farms.

Early detection and reporting are very important ways to stop the spread of Bird Flu. If you see unusual symptoms or if you have a high number of deaths in your flock, contact your local veterinarian or the state veterinarian at 502-782-5920. You may also call the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s toll-free hotline at 866-536-7593.

To report any sick or dead waterfowl in Kentucky, call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife at 800-858-1549. For other types of wild birds, only call to report deaths of five or more birds.

To date there is no evidence that the current HPAI viruses that are infecting poultry flocks in the U.S. can infect humans. While it is not believed that the virus is transmitted through poultry meat and eggs, no products from infected flocks are entering the human food chain.

We are currently planning an educational program on AI prevention in home flocks (especially during fall migration) and ways to save while egg prices are high.  This program will take place sometime in August so be on the lookout for more details to come.

For more information about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.



June 25th         Kid’s Day at Farmers’ Market
June 27th         Hopkins County Ag Pride Day
July 17th&18th Ag Festival
July 21st         Estate Planning Workshop, 6pm
July 23rd         Farm Succession Seminar, Riverpark Center
Aug 14th McLean Co. Beef Field Day