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Tess Stahl – April 8, 2025 – Plant and Pest Advisory
As HPAI continues to spread across the United States, poultry owners are urged to review their
biosecurity practices and remain on alert for clinical signs of HPAI in their flock. Multi-species
operations, particularly those with both poultry and ruminants on-site, are encouraged to mitigate areas in which the spread of disease between species may be at risk.
Clinical signs can include:
- Sudden death
- Decrease in feed or water consumption
- Respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge
- Swelling around the eyes
- Open-mouth breathing
- Darkening of the comb/wattles
- Reddening of the shanks or feet
- Decreased egg production
- Lethargy
HPAI spreads through contact with bodily secretions, including feces, ocular, nasal, or oral secretions from infected birds. The virus can spread on vehicles, equipment, shoes, etc. Biosecurity is
particularly important for those residents of New Jersey who keep backyard poultry flocks, which are typically smaller flocks and can include mixed bird types. Backyard flocks often have constant or
frequent access to the outdoor environment by nature of their housing style, which increases the
likelihood of direct encounters with wild birds or their feces. Wild birds can enter backyard flock
enclosures, increasing the risk of direct contact. Potential exposure to wild birds via sharing waterers, feeders, or swimming areas is another source of disease risk to domestic poultry. Practicing good biosecurity can help prevent the spread of HPAI onto a farm.
For resources regarding biosecurity plans, please refer to the memo from Dr. Amar Patil, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVM, Director of the Division of Animal Health/State Veterinarian: 2025 HPAI
Letter to BYF Poultry Owners (https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-HPAI-Letter-to-BYF-Poultry-Owners_MAR.pdf).
Here are other websites that contain more information and guidance:
- Department of Agriculture | Animal Health (https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/)
- H5N1 – Bird Flu (https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/)
- Avian Influenza | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza)
- Defend the Flock (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock)
HPAI is a reportable disease. If you suspect HPAI in your poultry, please alert the New Jersey
Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.