Got Birds? Here is How to Protect You and Your Flock from Avian Flu

Bird Flu is a contagious infection that affects birds worldwide, but can also affect domestic poultry and other animal species. in rare cases it can affect humans and the symptoms compare to a severe flu virus. In birds, avian flu is highly contagious and cases can range in severity from mild to highly deadly.

Recently, concerns have risen about bird flu in the US due to ongoing outbreaks. The FDA announced that dairy product testing had found remnants of bird flu in one out of five samples, but none of which had the live virus capable of getting you sick. And while as long as you consume pasteurized dairy products and cook poultry to a proper temperature, mass produced products won’t pose any issues virus wise.

Backyard Chicken enthusiasts should be extra careful when dealing with their flock. The biggest risk to your poultry is exposure to wild birds. Infected birds shed viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces, meaning any contact with those could put you and your birds at risk. Some tips to help minimize risk would be to

• Provide ample enclosure security to make sure your domesticated birds don’t encounter any wild birds or other animals.
• Avoid contact with any birds (wild or domestic) that appear sick or have died.
• Don’t touch surfaces that could be contaminated with saliva, feces or mucous from wild or domestic birds.

If you believe that a bird in your flock has become infected with avian flu or been exposed to it, we recommend you look out for these symptoms.

• Lack of energy or appetite
• Decreased egg production or soft and mishappen eggs.
• Swelling of head, eyelid, comb, hocks, and wattles.
• Purple discoloration
• Nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing.
• Diarrhea
• Sudden dead with no clinical signs

If a bird in your flock are showing these symptoms or you find sick or dead wild birds on your property, follow these tips as additional precautions

• Do not touch sick or dead birds, or any bodily fluids and surfaces that could be contaminated by them without wearing protective equipment.
• Depopulate and separate your chickens from their housing and disinfect and sterilize all surfaces, separate sick birds from healthy ones.
• Remove protection equipment immediately after leaving an infected area and before returning to your home.
• Always wash your hands before and after touching your birds regardless of their health status.
• Change all clothing and equipment after interacting with wild or sick birds before contacting healthy ones.

While Premo Guard Poultry Spray wont protect your birds from Avian Flu it will defend against and kill Mites, Lice, Ticks, Fleas, and Flies.

 Source: USA Today