How can owners protect their bird(s) if the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus is found in the United States?
Top A: Biosecurity is the first line of defense against transmission of avian influenza (AI) to birds, including companion birds and commercial and backyard poultry. Bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, live bird markets, and any source of water that may have been contaminated by wild birds. Consideration should be given to moving flocks and individual birds housed outdoors to indoor accommodations if exposure to wild birds and their feces is likely. Access to poultry farms should be restricted to essential workers and vehicles, and all equipment and vehicles that enter and leave the farm should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. In addition, equipment, personnel, and vehicles should not be loaned to (or borrowed from) other farms. Birds obtained from live bird markets or via slaughter channels should not be brought back to the farm. View the USDA Web site for additional information on biosecurity. Protecting waterfowl from infection is problematic
Related Questions
- If a bird is suspected or confirmed to have highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus infection, is the staff that handled the bird at risk?
- Do owners need to move birds inside when highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus is detected in the United States?
- Has the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus been detected in migratory birds in the United States?
