10 Facts About Avian Influenza

1. Many avian influenza (ai) strains occur worldwide in birds; most of these strains cause little or no illness in domestic poultry or humans.

2. experts divide avian influenza viruses into two types: low pathogenic (lp), which usually causes minor symptoms, and high pathogenic (hp), in which mortality in poultry can approach 100 percent.

3. ai is normally spread by direct contact between birds, from equipment or cages contaminated with droppings, through respiratory secretions and by migratory waterfowl.

4. symptoms of hpai in poultry include sudden death (no clinical signs), a drop in egg production, coughing and sneezing, diarrhea, swelling of the head and combs, lethargy and purple discoloration of legs, wattles and combs.

5. domestic ducks can carry hpai without showing clinical signs.

6. one strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the asian strain of h5n1, has infected and killed poultry — and more rarely humans — in asia, africa, the Middle east and europe. Most people who fell ill had direct contact with infected poultry or their secretions and droppings.

7. like the human flu, avian influenza viruses mutate easily and often. experts contend that h5n1 could eventually exchange genetic material with a human influenza virus to create a highly transmittable virus capable of causing a flu pandemic.

8. the ai virus is easily killed with regular soap, sunlight, bleach, and proper handling and cooking of poultry meat and eggs.

9. good sanitation, preventing your flock’s contact with wild waterfowl and other biosecurity measures can help keep your ducks from contracting this disease.

10. if you experience unexplained illness or sudden deaths in your flock, call your local extension service or an avian veterinarian.