By Jeff Burbrink
Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Elkhart County

Jeff Burbrink
Extension Educator, Purdue University Elkhart County

GOSHEN — A highly pathogenic form of avian flu, H5N1, was recently found here in Elkhart County in a commercial poultry flock.

I want to make two important points. First, our food supply is safe. The poultry and eggs are tested for avian flu before they move into the food supply (unless you are buying direct from a producer). Second, no human illness has been reported from the strains of avian flu that are currently circulating in the U.S. However, poultry owners should practice good hygiene by washing hands after handling birds, equipment and manure.

Backyard flocks are in some ways more vulnerable to avian flu, and owners should also remain vigilant. Exposure to wild birds often happens at the feeder, waterer or around the exercise area. The current trend to have birds run free significantly adds to the chances that wild birds will co-mingle with your flock. If those wild birds are carriers, the virus can be spread to your birds.  Keeping your birds in a fenced space or a coop can minimize exposure.

You also need to stay vigilant, looking for signs that something is wrong. Watch for signs of illness in your flock. Birds affected with HPAI may show one or more of the following signs:

• Sudden death without clinical signs
• Lack of energy and appetite
• Decreased egg production
• Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing, sneezing
• Incoordination
• Diarrhea

At the first signs of any of these, call the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline at (866) 536-7593. Callers will be routed to a federal or state veterinarian in Indiana for case assessment. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.