Avian Influenza - Biosecurity for Pet Bird Owners

Avian Influenza (AI) or "bird flu" is a contagious disease that can infect all types of birds.

• Sudden death without clinical signs

• Lack of energy and appetite

• Decreased egg production and/or 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

AI spreads quickly by bird-to-bird contact. Viruses can be carried by manure, equipment, vehicles, egg flats, crates, clothing, shoes, and people who have come in contact with the virus. Migratory waterfowl can also carry the disease.

To prevent the possible spread of disease:

• Restrict traffic onto and off your property.

• Disinfect shoes, clothes, hands, egg trays or flats, crates, vehicles, and tires.

•Avoid visiting other poultry farms or bird owners.

Buy from a reputable dealer; request certification from suppliers that birds were legally imported; maintain records of all sales and shipments of flocks; keep new birds separated from your flock for at least 30 days; keep young and old birds and birds of different species and from different sources apart.

If your birds are sick or dying, call your local cooperative extension service, your local veterinarian, the State Veterinarian’s office, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Veterinary Services toll-free at 1–866–536–7593 to find out why.

United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Program Aid No. 1767 • Issued June 2004
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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