Fall Bird Migration Is Tme To Reimplement Biosecurity Protocols

Fall bird migration has begun, and now is the time to review and reimplement biosecurity protocols to reduce disease transmission from wild to domestic birds.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a disease carried by wild birds that can affect domestic birds. Avian influenza is caused by the influenza Type A virus (influenza A). The virus is shed in the feces and respiratory secretions of infected birds and is able to survive for weeks in cool, damp environments.

Migration can be followed via BirdCast (https://birdcast.info/), an online real-time migration prediction tool.

NDSU Extension specialists have prepared a list of guidelines and resources for reducing transmission of HPAI from wildlife to domestic birds:

If possible, keep poultry housed until the risk for transmission has decreased. Non-lethal methods to deter wildlife are available on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service's nonlethal initiative webpage: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-services/about/nonlethal.

Reduce the attractiveness for wildlife to stop at your place by cleaning up litter and spilled feed around your domestic flock housing.

If you come in contact with or handle wildlife, change into clean clothes, wash your hands and disinfect your footwear prior to contact with domestic flocks.

Report sick or deceased wildlife to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at https://bit.ly/mortality-report.

In the event you need to handle or dispose of carcasses to reduce potential interactions, be sure to follow the appropriate procedures: ndsu.ag/hpai.

"The best defense against HPAI is having a biosecurity plan in place," says Mary Keena, NDSU Extension livestock environmental management specialist. "It is your job as a flock owner to create a line of separation between your clean flock and the potential unclean issues that wildlife or visitors may bring."

More information about biosecurity can be found on the USDA Defend the Flock Resource Center webpage: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock.

To reduce transmission between domestic flocks:

Keep your distance. Restrict access to your property and your flock. Allow contact from people who care for your birds but minimize visitors.

Do not haul disease home. If you have been near other poultry or bird owners, such as at feed stores, clean and disinfect car and truck tires. New birds should be kept separate from your flock for at least 30 days.

Do not borrow disease from your neighbor. Do not share lawn and garden equipment, tools or bird supplies with your neighbor or other flock owners.

With birds on the move, fall hunting season is just around the corner.

"If you hunt and have poultry, do not wear hunting clothes in with your poultry," says Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. "Infected birds shed bird flu viruses in their saliva, mucous and feces."

The North Dakota Department of Game and Fish suggests the following steps be taken to reduce the risk of infection:

Do not handle game that is found dead or appears to be sick.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game, and avoid contamination of your eyes, mouth, nose, or any open cuts or sores with blood or other fluids from game that you are cleaning.

Wash hands, cleaning utensils and other surfaces with soap and hot water immediately after cleaning game.

Strains of HPAI have been detected in both wild and domestic mammals across the United States. Most often, these cases occur in predatory mammals known to consume wild birds. While the transmission rate from animals to humans is low, it is a zoonotic disease. To date, cases have been restricted to individuals working in close contact with infected poultry or livestock.

"Poultry testing positive for HPAI are prohibited by law from entering the marketplace," says Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. "Poultry and poultry products are safe to eat, and proper handling and cooking is always advised."

To date, there have been no positive HPAI cases in domestic poultry or birds in North Dakota in 2024. Report sick birds to your local veterinarian. If you do not have a local veterinarian for your flock, contact the North Dakota State Veterinarian's office at 701-328-2655.