By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — The fall migration of waterfowl is at its peak, and with it comes both a greater risk of spreading the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or bird flu, as well as sick and dying birds.
In the past month, 108 premises — 44 commercial and 64 backyard flocks — tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian flu, affecting more than 1.16 million birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. None were in Arkansas.
“With the fall migration is at its peak, numerous people have reported finding sick and dying waterfowl,” said Dustan Clark, extension poultry health veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and associate director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science.
“Influenza is carried by many wild bird species, including migratory waterfowl like ducks and geese, which show few if any clinical signs of the disease,” he said, “but influenza in birds is very contagious and can cause severe illness and death in domestic species such as chickens and turkeys.
“County extension agents with the Division of Agriculture have received questions about what to do if they find sick, dying, or dead waterfowl,” Clark said. “It’s important that people report sick birds so precautions can be taken to reduce the spread of disease.”
Hunters and wildlife watchers who see concentrations of sick or dead birds should note the species, number of birds, and location for reporting.
Where to report
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Health Program to report concentrations of sick or dead birds
- USDA Wildlife Services: 866-487-3297
- USDA hotline to report illness in personally owned poultry flocks: 866-487-3297
- Arkansas Department of Agriculture Poultry Disease Hotline to report suspected sick birds: 501-823-1746
- Arkansas State Veterinarian if you encounter sick waterfowl near a poultry operation: 501-297-2250
“I have spoken with all these agencies, and they may or may not be able to send someone out to collect the sick or dead waterfowl,” Clark said. “They usually ask that if you find a dead waterfowl on your property, do not touch it unless you wear a mask and gloves. The bird should be buried in place if possible. If that is not possible, you may be directed to double bag the bird, disinfect the outside of the second bag and dispose of it in the trash or burn it if that is allowed in your area.”
Those who find sick birds should not take them home to care for them, especially if they have poultry, he said.
Practice Biosecurity
Biosecurity measures remain the best defense for commercial poultry operations and backyard poultry flocks.
The Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach and education arm of the Division of Agriculture, provides detailed information on biosecurity practices, symptoms of avian flu, and updates on HPAI confirmations on its website: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/avian-flu
Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
