Avian Influenza Basics for 4-H and FFA Club Members
W. Martin, R. Porter Jr., SL. Noll, C. Cardona
What is Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza (AI) is a disease in domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail,
ducks and geese. Waterfowl and shorebirds are natural hosts for the virus that causes avian influenza
and will shed the virus into their environment while often showing no signs of illness. Some types of
avian influenza are called highly pathogenic (HPAI) because in contrast to waterfowl, these viruses are
rapidly fatal for poultry. In chickens, the clinical signs of highly pathogenic (HPAI) are often a
combination of respiratory (gasping) and digestive (extreme diarrhea) signs followed by rapid death.
There may have swelling around the head, neck, and eyes as well as purple discoloration around the
head and legs. In contrast, other poultry species, including turkeys, may have nervous symptoms such as
tremors, twisted necks, paralyzed wings and recumbent pedaling. What is common among all poultry
(except ducks and geese) is the sudden onset and high rate of mortality.
Since December 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported confirmed cases
of HPAI, primarily of the H5N2 subtype, in wild waterfowl and backyard poultry in the states of
Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho; and commercial poultry flocks in California, Minnesota and
Missouri, and Arkansas, Mississippi and Kansas (updates available at
(http://z.umn.edu/avianinfluenzaupdate). The risk to the public is very low and there is no food safety
concern because infected birds do not reach the market. The risk of infection is generally limited to
people in direct contact with affected birds. As a reminder, poultry and eggs should always be handled
properly and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F. Do not eat birds that appear to be sick or
have died for reasons unknown (http://z.umn.edu/mdafoodsafetyhpai).
What to do if you suspect your poultry may have Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza?
Each state has a designated agency to respond to avian influenza cases. In Minnesota, the Board of
Animal Health is that agency. If your flock experiences a sudden, high mortality or has a high
percentage of birds with signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza, please report this immediately to
your veterinarian.
Biosecurity Recommendations
Good biosecurity is essential for keeping disease away from your birds. To be effective, your plan should
include these three elements:
1. Isolation, or quarantine, prevents contact of healthy animals with animals that could be
infected. Your actions and farm setup should keep your birds separate from potentially infected
or contaminated birds and materials.
2. Traffic Control-Movement of people, vehicles, and equipment between bird owners should be
limited as viruses can be carried on clothing, tires, and tools. Follow these guidelines to prevent
the spread of disease. Movement of people, vehicles, and equipment between bird owners
should be limited as viruses can be carried on clothing, tires, and tools.
3. Keep It Clean- Sanitation and decontamination, when properly done, can effectively kill
pathogens such as avian influenza virus. It takes only a small amount of AI-contaminated
© 2014 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and
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manure to infect one million birds. These procedures are critical to preventing and containing
the disease.
Additional biosecurity is needed for AI, since introductions of AI can originate from contact with wild
birds, especially migratory waterfowl that may frequent the area. Poultry that are then infected can help
the virus spread through movement of birds, manure, equipment, and people. AI viruses can exist in
bird waste up to several months especially under conditions of high moisture and low temperature.
Registration
To control diseases such as avian influenza, most states require backyard flock owners to register their
flocks. Inquire about registration with your state's Department of Agriculture. Registration may include
chickens, turkeys, ratites, waterfowl, game birds, and homing pigeons.
Exhibits, Fairs, and Shows
Even though avian influenza can be spread from bird to bird, it is acceptable to take your birds to shows
and fairs. You should choose shows and fairs that are clean, spacious, and make disease prevention a
top priority.
Don’t haul disease home. Newly purchased birds should be kept in quarantine for at least 30 days.
Similarly, it is recommended that you isolate show birds for at least 2-3 weeks after returning from a fair
so you can look for signs of disease. Keep them separated for at least 30 days.
State departments of agriculture have developed requirements for exhibitors as the possibility of
disease transmission increases when large numbers of animals gather for exhibition.
Check with your state's Department of Agriculture for more information on exhibitor requirements.
Surveillance and Monitoring
Surveillance and monitoring are key factors in early detection as it lowers the risk of the spread of
disease and leads to better response times. Do your part to prevent the spread of avian influenza and
check your bird's health daily.
There is an excellent short course regarding Avian Influenza and biosecurity for 4H and Youth on the
Extension.org website at: http://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=285
For more detailed information and resources, please visit the following websites:
Ken W. Koelkebeck, Professor Poultry Extension Specialist
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois
282 Animal Sciences Lab, 1207 W. Gregory Dr.Urbana, 61801
PH: 217-244-0195 kkoelkeb@illinois.edu
Avian Influenza Home Web Page at http://z.umn.edu/extorgavianinfluenza, or
http://z.umn.edu/biosecurity4handyouth
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at http://z.umn.edu/usdabiosecuritytips
© 2014 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Extension Store at
800-876-8636. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least 10 percent postconsumer waste material.