Why test your birds if you suspect Avian Influenza?

Why test your birds if you suspect Avian Influenza infographic. See below for text description.
Alternate text for this infographic is below.

 

Why test your birds if you suspect avian influenza?

  1. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is highly contagious and fatal for poultry. 
    • As a virus, HPAI needs a host to survive and spread. HPAI will spread through and kill an entire flock. (Graphic: Healthy chickens next to an infected chicken, and virus going toward the healthy birds.)
    • Testing allows for early detection of HPAI in flocks, which can help limit painful, severe illness in other birds.
  2. Disease status affects ALL aspects of poultry in Minnesota.
    • Regardless of flock size, detecting and managing HPAI is critical for preventing disease spread and protecting the welfare of all flocks. (Graphic: Small flock of geese and a large commercial flock of chickens with a plus sign between them.)
  3. Priority should be placed on poultry welfare.
    • Humane euthanasia of HPAI-positive flocks is necessary to limit severe, fatal illness in birds and disease spread.
    • Your assigned case manager will arrange euthanasia by trained personnel following methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. (Graphic: Upturned hand underneath a chicken enclosed in a heart.)
    • Personnel entering/exiting your premises will follow strict biosecurity practices.

Minnesota Avian Influenza Hotline: 1-833-454-0156.

Graphics: University of Minnesota Extension logo and Minnesota Board of Animal Health logo.