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Western Small Flocks Collaborative

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Learn more about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on this webpage and the printable factsheet.

HPAI Factsheet
Silhouette icon of a dead chicken torso

Quick Facts

Silhouette icon of a Infectious Bronchitis virus shape HPAI is an Influenza A virus
Silhouette icon of a Infectious Laryngotracheitis virus infected chicken Spreads quickly and is highly contagious among and between flocks
Silhouette icon of a dark brown dead chicken Often causes sudden death in multiple birds in a flock
Silhouette icon of a dark brown human figure Certain strains of HPAI can infect humans, cats, and wild and domestic mammals
Silhouette icon of a dark brown iPhone held by a light brown hand If you suspect HPAI in your flock, contact your veterinarian and state animal health official immediately

What is HPAI?

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a serious, highly contagious virus that causes sudden death in birds. HPAI is often fatal in chickens, turkeys, and gamebirds. Ducks and geese can carry the virus without looking sick or succumb to the disease. Wild waterfowl and other birds spread the virus to flocks through droppings or direct contact. Some HPAI viruses can infect people and other mammals.

Silhouette icon of a brown caution symbol with an exclamation point in the center There is no cure and infected birds often die suddenly. HPAI must be reported to your state animal health official so they can help with next steps for your flock.
Photo of a sickened chicken suffering from highly pathogenic avian influenza
Example of what a sickened bird might look like.

Signs of HPAI

The most common sign is sudden death. Several birds may die without warning over just a few days. If multiple birds die suddenly, call your veterinarian or state animal health official right away.

Chicken diagram with signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza

How does HPAI Spread?

Wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese are the main source of HPAI. They often carry the virus without looking sick and shed it in droppings, feathers, saliva, and respiratory secretions.

Other ways the virus can spread:

  • People, rodents and other pests, pets, vehicles, and equipment can carry it on clothing, boots, or tools.
  • Contaminated litter, dust, or shared water sources (like ponds visited by wild birds) can bring it onto farms.
  • Once inside, the virus can spread quickly between birds in the same flock.
Diagram of highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission from sick poultry, equipment and wild waterfowl
Wild birds shed HPAI in feces and secretions and may look healthy or die from infection. The virus can spread to poultry through contact with wild birds, contaminated equipment, or sick flocks. Among chickens, turkeys, and gamebirds, HPAI spreads quickly and usually causes death.

How Do You Treat HPAI?

There is no cure for HPAI. Once a bird is infected, they are likely to die from the disease. When HPAI is reported to your state animal health official, they will guide you on next steps and how to follow requirements for HPAI affected flocks. The USDA animal health website has more information on what occurs during an HPAI outbreak.

USDA HPAI Website

How Do You Prevent HPAI?

Practice Biosecurity

  • Limit contact with birds from other flocks.
  • Wear coop-dedicated clothing and shoes to keep out germs.
  • Keep the coop, equipment, and your hands clean.
  • Avoid parks and other places with waterfowl.

Keep Wild Birds Out

  • Don’t let your birds commingle with wild birds.
  • Use netting to keep wild birds out and your birds in.
  • Cover feed and water.

Limit Visitors and Shared Tools

  • Require approved visitors to wear clean clothes and boot covers.
  • Minimize sharing tool or equipment.

Avoid Mixing Animal Types

  • Waterfowl can spread HPAI without symptoms.
  • Chickens, turkeys, gamebirds, cats, and other mammals can get sick.

Separate New or Returning Birds

  • Keep new or returning birds away from your flock for at least 3 weeks and monitor for signs of illness.
  • Germs can spread before birds show signs.

What if HPAI is Found in Your Flock?

Report Immediately

  • HPAI is reportable in all states.
  • If you suspect HPAI, call your vet or state animal health official immediately.

Wear Protective Gear

  • Wear gloves, a mask, and clean clothes when handling birds.
  • Do not handle sick or dead birds if you are immunocompromised.

Monitor All Animals

  • Watch for signs in your flock, pets, wildlife, and people.

Stop Movement

  • Don’t move birds, eggs, or equipment on or off your property, and avoid visiting other farms to prevent spreading disease.

Disease Control Steps

  • Controlling the virus may require depopulation.
  • Work with state animal health officials to clean, review biosecurity, and prevent future outbreaks.