Common Questions
Why should I be bothered?
It's one of the most highly infectious, deadly diseases that will result in your entire flock dying or being killed. And it's spreading. The last big outbreak resulted in more than 50 million birds dying or being killed. This outbreak has resulted in 3 million birds dying or being killed...including several backyard flocks of companion chickens, ducks, and turkeys. The northern migration is just getting going, we will likely see a huge spike as more waterfowl show up.
How long is this HPAI outbreak supposed to last? Is it just during the waterfowl migration?
Lots of factors come into it. It's a temperature sensitive virus that does better in cooler temps. As it warms up, we should see a decline. The 2015 epidemic lasted until June. The European outbreak lasted from October 2020 until June 2021. (Europe is also experiencing an outbreak now in 2022).
There are migrations in fall and spring, and a few semi aquatic species in summer.
As it gets warmer, it becomes more inhospitable for the virus to thrive. So hopefully we start to see a decline in April and may.
The virus survives for up to 120 days in cooler weather. It will survive up to 18 hours at 107 degrees and 5 days at 75 degrees.
Lots of factors come into it. It's a temperature sensitive virus that does better in cooler temps. As it warms up, we should see a decline. The 2015 epidemic lasted until June. The European outbreak lasted from October 2020 until June 2021. (Europe is also experiencing an outbreak now in 2022).
There are migrations in fall and spring, and a few semi aquatic species in summer.
As it gets warmer, it becomes more inhospitable for the virus to thrive. So hopefully we start to see a decline in April and may.
The virus survives for up to 120 days in cooler weather. It will survive up to 18 hours at 107 degrees and 5 days at 75 degrees.
How do I protect my chickens?
If you have avian netting it won't be enough, you need to keep birds and their feathers/dander/feces completely away from your birds. They need a solid roof and hardware cloth or screen on the sides to keep even sparrows and rodents out of their area. If that is not feasible I would definitely just keep them inside full time.
When entering and or leaving your birds space a disposable hazmat suit, foot coverings and gloves are the best option, because you can very easily spread the virus to the animals on your clothes and feet after walking across the yard. Another option is to have a change of clothes and shoes/boots that you leave at the site of your chicken area, undercover in order to prevent infection from flying birds in or within the area your birds live. These will be ONLY used to go in and out of the run, so as not to pass the virus to your birds from outside factors.
When entering and or leaving your birds space a disposable hazmat suit, foot coverings and gloves are the best option, because you can very easily spread the virus to the animals on your clothes and feet after walking across the yard. Another option is to have a change of clothes and shoes/boots that you leave at the site of your chicken area, undercover in order to prevent infection from flying birds in or within the area your birds live. These will be ONLY used to go in and out of the run, so as not to pass the virus to your birds from outside factors.
Why can’t birds be tested to determine if they have the avian influenza? Why do all birds have to be killed?
My only advice is know the procedures being taken in your county/territory/country. Be diligent. Have bio security procedures. Do health checks daily. And lastly, be realistic with your risk assessment to your property, aviaries, and flocks.
Should I take down my bird feeders?
The Cornell Cooperative Extension is asking New Yorkers to take down bird feeders to help stop the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Link to article here
Who carries the disease?
While this disease is mostly carried by wild waterfowl, research has shown that other wild bird populations can carry it too, especially if they share nesting and feeding grounds with wild waterfowl. These populations include perching birds and songbirds.
Can other farm animals get it?
While it is true pigs can get H5N1, it is rare and likely will cause no disease. However they can shed it.
If you house birds with pigs, consider separating them IF cases are closer to you. Link to article here.
This is a great resource: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3922066/
The strain of HPAI being seen currently is EA (Eurasian) H5N1 (all tests have revealed the subtype at the HA protein is H5 and some tests have shown the subtype at the N protein is N1).
Pigs are susceptible to H5N1. However, they are rarely infected and show limited symptoms. They are carriers of the disease for approximately 6 days post infection, meaning they shed the disease for about a week.
The more high risk animals are felines. They are at risk of infection and death due to H5N1.
It is true that aquatic birds are natural reservoirs, so to speak. But we are seeing wild aquatic birds die from EA H5N1 right now.
If one lives in an area with an outbreak, separating waterfowl/felines/pigs from chickens/turkeys would be a smart move - and having separate tools/biosecurity for each area. If one lives in an area without an outbreak, my suggestion would be to continue monitoring.
If you house birds with pigs, consider separating them IF cases are closer to you. Link to article here.
This is a great resource: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3922066/
The strain of HPAI being seen currently is EA (Eurasian) H5N1 (all tests have revealed the subtype at the HA protein is H5 and some tests have shown the subtype at the N protein is N1).
Pigs are susceptible to H5N1. However, they are rarely infected and show limited symptoms. They are carriers of the disease for approximately 6 days post infection, meaning they shed the disease for about a week.
The more high risk animals are felines. They are at risk of infection and death due to H5N1.
It is true that aquatic birds are natural reservoirs, so to speak. But we are seeing wild aquatic birds die from EA H5N1 right now.
If one lives in an area with an outbreak, separating waterfowl/felines/pigs from chickens/turkeys would be a smart move - and having separate tools/biosecurity for each area. If one lives in an area without an outbreak, my suggestion would be to continue monitoring.
