If you are one of the many people who keep chickens, or if you own a bird, please watch for symptoms of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) found in our area. Symptoms of this deadly poultry disease include sudden death, decreased food and water consumption, lethargy, respiratory distress, nasal discharge, purple discoloration or swelling around the legs and head, a drop in egg production, and diarrhea.

It spreads quickly through direct, bird-to-bird contact and can be transmitted via contaminated clothing, shoes and vehicles).

There is no cure for HPAI. To keep poultry safe, practice good biosecurity, including:
• Wash hands and scrub boots before and after entering a poultry area.
• Wear disposable boot covers and coveralls, if possible.
• Keep wild birds and rodents out of poultry houses and coops and away from backyard flocks and pet birds.
• Secure feed bins and water and remove bird feeders to avoid attracting wild birds.
• Keep visitors away from birds and avoid visiting other poultry farms or other people’s birds.

Please immediately report sick birds to us at (845) 635-2110 or call the USDA at 1-866-536-7593.

To learn more about HPAI, please visit www.aphis.usda.gov