Virginia residents encouraged to report bird deaths as fall migration begins to prevent spread of bird flu

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As the annual migration of wild waterfowl begins again in fall, state agencies are encouraging Virginia residents to report bird deaths to help track and prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also called bird flu.

A release shared on Oct. 8 by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) encouraged backyard bird owners to practice biosecurity to protect their flocks from HPAI.

The agencies also encouraged the public to report instances of wild bird deaths that meet the following criteria to wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov or by calling the DWR Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003:

• Five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds, or seabirds in the same area within five days
• Sick or dead eagles, hawks, owls, or turkeys, excluding carcasses found on the road
• Ten or more dead wild birds of any other species in the same area within five days

“As wild bird migrations are underway along the Atlantic Flyway, the HPAI virus remains present in our environment," said Dr. Charlie Broaddus, state veterinarian for VDACS. "All poultry owners, especially backyard flock owners, should maintain the highest level of biosecurity to protect their flocks."

The agencies said HPAI is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread through interaction between wild birds and domestic birds, flock to flock, equipment, vehicles, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers.

HPAI affects poultry, like chickens, ducks, turkeys, and wild bird species such as ducks, geese, shorebirds and raptors.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has a list of all HPAI detections in commercial and backyard flocks on its website.

According to the state agencies, signs of HPAI include sudden death without clinical signs, lack of energy or appetite, decreased egg production, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, incoordination and diarrhea.

Anyone involved with poultry production, from a small backyard flock to being a large commercial producer, should review their biosecurity activities to ensure the health of their birds. The following are a few steps backyard the agencies said bird owners can take to protect their flocks:

• Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds. Ensure poultry cannot access areas where wild waterfowl or vultures are present.
• Wash your hands before and after handling birds as well as when moving between different coops.
• Disinfect boots and other gear when moving between coops.
• Do not share equipment or other supplies between coops or other farms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting equipment and other supplies between uses. If it cannot be disinfected, discard it.
• Use well or municipal water as drinking water for birds.
• Keep poultry feed secure to ensure there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.
• Look for signs of illness. Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases.
• Report sick or dying birds immediately by calling a local veterinarian or the State Veterinarian’s Office at 804-692-0601 or at vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov, or the USDA’s toll-free number, 866-536-7593.

Information on biosecurity is available on VDACS' website and the USDA's website.

For more information about HPAI in wild birds, including guidelines for waterfowl hunters, visit DWR's webpage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessed the risk of HPAI infections to the general U.S. population as low. The proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses, including HPAI. For more information, visit the VDH's website.