Avian flu cases have shown up recently in Indiana counties, with some of them in northeastern Indiana. What is the risk to local flocks and people? How can hobby farmers take steps to keep their flocks safe? We’ll explore these issues using information from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) and USDA.
First of all, farmers and the public should source their information on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) from BOAH at: https://www.in.gov/boah/species-information/avianbirds/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/. The page features information about current cases in Indiana and other important information. In several locations on the website, a link will direct you to a USDA resource, the Indiana Department of Health, or other reliable official sources.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a virus spread by close contact with infected birds. BOAH shares that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that the risk of transmission to humans is low. That risk would tend to increase for poultry workers and responders, prompting the need for appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), thorough hand washing, avoiding direct contact with sick birds, and showering at the end of the day.
When a positive case is found, BOAH will be the lead agency in dealing with the outbreak. Typically, the flock is depopulated, facilities are cleaned and disinfected, and a surveillance zone is established around that flock for routine testing and monitoring of nearby flocks.
BOAH states that recent detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 viruses (H5N1 bird flu) in wild birds and poultry pose a low risk to the health of the general public. Human infections are most likely to be rare and happen in people with recreational or occupational exposures involving prolonged, unprotected close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
BOAH states that the egg and poultry supplies are safe. All shipments of poultry and eggs are tested to ensure the absence of avian influenza (AI) before moving into the food supply. Always cook poultry products to 165 degrees.
As reported in other states (not Indiana to date), AI has affected some dairy cows. Fortunately, dairy animals usually recover from the disease. From a food safety standpoint, only consume pasteurized milk. All milk available in retail establishments is pasteurized and is safe for consumption.
BOAH urges poultry owners to practice good biosecurity. This includes minimizing or eliminating exposure the poultry has to wild birds and their droppings. Migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.) are known to carry AI without becoming ill or dying. Keeping poultry confined to a coop or fenced space can help to reduce possible exposure.
Hobby poultry owners should look for these signs of illness in their flock. According to BOAH, birds affected with HPAI may show one or more of the following signs:
At the first signs of any of these, call the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline: 866-536-7593. Callers will be routed to a federal or state veterinarian in Indiana for case assessment. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing. Hobby flocks should also obtain a premises ID from BOAH if they do not already have one, see: https://www.in.gov/boah/traceability-and-premise-id/indiana-premises-registration/.
If you see several wild birds or waterfowl that have mysteriously died, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has an online reporting system you can use at: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/wildlife-diseases-in-indiana/sick-or-dead-wildlife-reporting/.
This article is not intended to answer all your questions, but rather point you to authoritative sources that are much more complete. Please refer to BOAH and other official sources for more information.