Animal Diseases & Food Safety Links


The links below are provided for your convenience.

    Avian


    Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

    Avian influenzais a disease caused by viruses that can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and wild birds. Avian influenza is further categorized based on the ability of the virus to produce disease in domestic poultry:

    • Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to poultry, and can spread rapidly. HPAI can circulate freely in wild birds without sign of illness and infect domestic poultry causing severe and fatal illness. Some species of wild birds, such as raptors, also experience high mortality rates.
    • Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus strains occur naturally in wild migratory waterfowl and shorebirds without causing illness. LPAI can infect domestic poultry, creating little or no signs of illness.

     

    HPAI detections

    The current HPAI strain has been detected in both wild birds and commercial and backyard flocks in the U.S. As of April 21, 2022, HPAI has not been detected in Nevada, however detections have been made in neighboring states of Idaho and Utah.

     

    Any birds found to be sick should be immediately quarantined and reported to the USDA at (866) 536-7593 or the NDA by emailing NDA State Veterinarian at pmundschenk@agri.nv.gov.

     

    Three or more wild bird mortalities should be reported to the Nevada Department of Wildlife at (775) 688-1500 or nate.lahue@ndow.org.

     

    Biosecurity recommendations

    • Wash hands before and after coming in contact with birds.
    • Limit the number of people that come into contact with your flock to those necessary for their care.
    • Use personal protective equipment such as shoe covers, gloves, hair and clothing covers.
    • Clean and disinfect equipment before and after each use.
    • Do not share tools or supplies between flocks.
    • Flocks should be housed in enclosures that prevent any exposure to wild birds or waterfowl, such as barns or similar covered, secure areas.
    • Avoid attracting wild birds and waterfowl by securing feed and not using wild bird feeders on or near the premises.
    • Quarantine new birds or birds returning to the flock for 30 days before (re)introduction.
    • Quarantine sick birds immediately and report to the USDA at (866) 536-7593 or the NDA State Veterinarian at pmundschenk@agri.nv.gov.

    Read more about biosecurity practices to protect against HPAI at USDA Defend the Flock.

     

    Human health and safety

    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. As of April 21, 2022, no human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S.

     

    Consumers are still encouraged to practice proper food safety handling, including washing hands before and after handling poultry or eggs, and cooking them to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F to kill bacteria and viruses.