Animal Care

Purple discoloration of the comb may be
an indicator of avian influenza.

Current Surveillance and Monitoring
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has provided surveillance for avian influenza on commercial poultry populations for more than 20 years. In 2004, the department conducted tests on more than 10,200 samples, in 2005 more than 14,000 samples and an expected 30,000 samples in 2006.

In addition the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that imported birds (poultry, pets and exhibits) be quarantined and tested for the avian influenza virus before entering the country. This precaution is taken to prevent foreign strains of avian influenza from being introduced in the United States.

Poultry Requirements
State law requires all livestock and poultry brought into Ohio to have a certificate of veterinary inspection to ensure the animals are free of disease. If highly pathogenic avian influenza were confirmed in another US state, Ohio would ban imports of birds from the affected state. Currently the United States does not import poultry from any country with confirmed cases of H5N1.

Action for Farmers
Farmers can help prevent the spread of disease in birds by practicing the tips below.

  • Monitor flocks for unusual signs of illness suck as sneezing, a one percent or greater decrease in egg production or an increase in mortality. Other signs to look for are wheezing, lethargy and depression. Report signs of infection to your veterinarian or to the ODA by calling toll-free 1-800-282-1955. Submit samples for testing by contacting 614-728-6220.
  • A bird affected by Avian Influenza showing
    swelling of the head and face.
    Practice personal biosecurity. Since people can carry viruses, if you have been exposed to the virus, avoid entering other poultry houses for three to five days. Wear poultry house shoes and clothing only in poultry houses. Change clothes before going to another poultry house complex on the same farm.
  • Keep unauthorized visitors out of poultry houses, a good practice whether there is disease threat or not. Authorized persons should be required to wear protective clothing and shoes before entering a house. If people must enter poultry houses – such as industry or utility services people, regulatory inspectors, feed trucks, or mortality collectors – keep a record of who they are, their telephone numbers, where they last visited and where they are going next.
  • Avoid contact with wild birds – they may be carriers of avian influenza viruses. Keep waterfowl away from poultry houses and do not process waterfowl anywhere on a poultry farm. Avoid contact with backyard flocks of chicken, ducks, geese and other birds because they present an increased risk of avian influenza exposure. Avoid contact with live-bird markets, swap meets and poultry exhibitions or wait three to five days to re-enter your poultry houses.
  • Do not move farm vehicles or equipment on and off your farms without cleaning and disinfecting before and after use.

Symptoms of Sick Birds

  • Sudden death
  • Diarrhea
  • Decrease or complete loss of egg production, soft-shelled, misshapen eggs
  • Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge or coughing
  • Lack of energy and appetite
  • Swelling of tissue around eyes and in neck
  • Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs
  • Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, in coordination or complete paralysis

If you notice dead or sick wild birds report them to Ohio Wildlife Services at 1-866-4-USDA-WS, which is located at 6929 Americana Parkway, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-4116. Visit Ohio Wildlife Services online at www.aphis.usda.gov/ws.

You may also contact a USDA Veterinarian to work with you to conduct a disease investigation free of charge. Contact them by calling 1-866-536-7593.

Turkeys exhibiting signs of diarrhea and
depression due to Avian Influenza.

Ohio’s Plan of Response for Avian Influenza
ODA is responsible for quarantining facilities and disposal of animals during any animal disease outbreak, including avian influenza. While the ODA has primary authority to manage animal disease outbreaks in Ohio, there may be events that require many additional resources, such as those preformed by other state, federal and local agencies, private business and industry organizations.

Avian Influenza Transmission
Avian Influenza can spread to poultry from exposure to migratory waterfowl and through the international movement of poultry, poultry equipment and people. The disease spreads from bird to bird through direct contact.

Avian Influenza can also be spread by manure equipment, vehicles, egg flats, crates and people whose clothing or shoes have come in contact with the virus.

Avian Influenza can remain viable at moderate temperatures for long periods in the environment and can survive indefinitely in frozen material.

One gram of contaminated manure can contain enough virus to infect one million birds.

Domestic Animals
Ultimately, all animals that eat meat can become infected with avian flu through eating under-cooked or raw infected wild and commercial poultry.

It is unlikely that domestic animals would play a role in the natural transmission cycle of avian flu.

Cats can become infected with avian flu and can transmit the virus to other cats, but the most likely way a cat would contract the H5N1 virus would be by consuming raw poultry infected with the virus.

Dogs can be susceptible to avian influenza viruses, and there is a report of at least one canine infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in 2004.

Scientific studies have not been conducted on other domestic animals. To help protect your pets make sure they do not eat any raw meat and monitor all the other animals your pet comes into contact with. If you suspect your pet is sick contact your veterinarian.

USDA’s Six Tips for Keeping Your Birds Safe

For additional information on how to protect animals from the flu visit: