MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu, in a backyard poultry flock in Orleans County this week. Samples taken by VAAFM and USDA officials on Monday are being tested to confirm the presence of HPAI by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.
The flock of about 300 birds suffered its first mortality Saturday, Nov. 29, then experienced ongoing losses. The owner contacted VAAFM to report the situation Saturday morning. The remaining flock was quarantined to prevent the spread of disease and was depopulated Wednesday by officials from VAAFM and USDA, with the agreement and understanding of the flock’s owners. VAAFM had received no reports of illness in additional flocks as of December 5.
Though HPAI is considered to be low risk to human health, the individuals who had contact with infected birds or their environment are being monitored by the Vermont Department of Health.
This is the sixth instance of HPAI in a domestic flock in Vermont since spring of 2022 and emphasizes the need for vigilance as the disease continues to be an ongoing risk to domestic birds.
As part of the response, VAAFM has established a 10-kilometer control zone around the flock location. Movement of poultry and poultry products in this area will be restricted (in and out) and can only occur with permitting until December 19. Additionally, VAAFM has established a 20-kilometer surveillance zone from the flock location, to identify any other vulnerable bird populations in that area and notify their owners. Any illness or other unusual activity in this surveillance zone will trigger VAAFM testing for HPAI.
This localized outbreak reinforces the importance of poultry owners, farmers and hunters to report sick and dead birds. Despite the low risk to the public, the virus remains deadly to many species of birds. All bird owners, from those who own backyard pets to commercial farmers, are strongly encouraged to review biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks.
The HPAI virus is often initially introduced to domestic poultry by infected wild birds, through direct contact or contact with their droppings, and then may spread between poultry flocks due to poor biosecurity and/or unfavorable environmental conditions. While some waterfowl species can carry the disease without becoming sick, the HPAI virus is generally fatal for domestic poultry.
Risk factors for the spread of HPAI between animals include: poultry housed outside, ponds or other wild bird attractants on the farm, piles of debris located close to poultry areas, introduction of poultry from other farms without a quarantine period, lack of personal protective equipment such as dedicated coveralls and boots, sharing of equipment between flocks and unrestricted human movement and interaction with poultry.
Anyone involved with poultry production, from the small backyard coop to the large commercial producer, should review their biosecurity activities to ensure the health of their birds, restrict human movement onto the farm and limit contact with poultry to only those who need to be there. Non-essential personnel and visitors should not be allowed access.
USDA has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists and a toolkit. In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state or federal officials, VAAFM at (802) 828-2421 or through USDA’s toll-free number at (866) 536-7593 as soon as possible.
Some birds may be infected with HPAI even if they do not look sick. To stay safe, Vermonters can take these steps: avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, avoid unprotected contact with domestic birds that look sick or have died, wash hands with soap and water after touching birds or surfaces contaminated with their droppings, get a seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccines will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses but can reduce the risk of getting infected with both seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time, which could lead to a more severe illness.
Influenza in poultry does not constitute a food safety risk.
