Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to affect birds in Nevada

Additional cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed throughout Nevada in domestic and wild birds. The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has quarantined properties with confirmed cases of HPAI in domestic birds and surrounding areas will be monitored to protect further spread of the disease. As of Nov. 10, 2022, one premises in Nevada remains under quarantine in Nye County.

“We understand the concern and the NDA and Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) continue to monitor positive cases across the state,” said NDA interim state veterinarian Dr. JJ Goicoechea.

Avian influenza viruses can infect domestic birds (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and wild birds. HPAI is extremely infectious and can spread rapidly. HPAI strains can circulate freely in wild birds without sign of illness, but can infect domestic birds causing severe and fatal illness. Some species of wild birds, such as raptors, also experience high mortality rates.

“It’s important that all bird owners remain diligent in good bird health safety practices to protect their flocks and mitigate spread,” said Dr. Goicoechea.

HPAI has been detected in states throughout the U.S. To protect bird health, the NDA issued biosecurity recommendations in April of 2022 as detections were made in bordering states. Additional detections are a reminder to owners of domestic birds to practice bird health safety measures and report illnesses. To mitigate impacts of the disease, it is important that bird owners isolate and report any sick birds to their veterinarian and the NDA Animal Disease Lab at 775-353-3709 or entrypermits@agri.nv.gov.

Sick or deceased birds should only be handled with proper personal protective equipment, including the use of gloves and bagging and sealing deceased birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that HPAI poses a low risk for human infection. Infected birds and products from infected flocks will not enter the food system. As always, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.

At this time, the NDA has eased restrictions for fairs, bird shows and events; however, maintaining proper health safety measures before, during and after events are critical to managing risk. Proper bird health safety measures are outlined on the NDA website and include:

• Wash hands before and after coming in contact with birds.
• Limit the number of people that come in contact with your flock to those necessary for their care.
• Isolate new adult poultry coming into a flock for a minimum of 30 days.
• 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, not using wild bird feeders on or near the premises and remove pooling or ponding water.
• Quarantine sick birds or bag and seal deceased birds immediately and report to your veterinarian and the NDA Animal Disease Lab at 775-353-3709 or entrypermits@agri.nv.gov.
• Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to take precautions from the NDOW listed here: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - NDOW

For more information on avian influenza, safety measures and the NDA's recommendation regarding bird shows, events and fairs, visit agri.nv.gov/Animals/Avian.

About the Nevada Department of Agriculture

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance. The department’s $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.