Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detected in 3 small flocks in Rutherford, Guilford, and Union Counties over the last 3 weeks
Reminder to all poultry folks to review and enforce biosecurity protocols to protect their flocks and our state's poultry industry. This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry. Please see NCDA&CS Current HPAI Status for a full listing of positive premises during this outbreak.
For more information about HPAI, please visit Poultry Extension's Educational Resources Page
Each of these detections were associated with a die-off of turkey vultures (buzzards), which underscores the necessity of stepping up biosecurity measures. Other things to consider at this time:
- limit visitors to flocks
- if your chicken coop/run has an open or screened top, cover with metal or plastic to prevent wild bird droppings from falling into bird area
- remove wild bird feeders or distance them from any backyard flocks as much as possible
- provide "enrichment" if your birds are more confined than usual to help prevent birds from pecking one another
