Avian Influenza Risk Rises with Fall Migration: How Poultry Farmers Can Prepare

Birds can travel thousands of miles during fall migration, carrying risks for poultry farmers through the spread of diseases like avian influenza. Since January 2022, the CDC has reported that over 100 million birds in the U.S. have been affected by this virus, making it one of the most devastating disease outbreaks in recent years. This fall, farmers should take proactive measures to protect their farms and reduce the risk of infected flocks, costly culling, and the extensive cleanup and disinfection that follow an outbreak. 

The map on the left from the CDC charts avian influenza outbreaks by county, while the second map from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department depicts migratory bird flyways in North America. These visuals clearly show how migratory bird patterns and disease outbreaks are closely linked, emphasizing the importance of being prepared before an outbreak. This is particularly relevant during peak migratory seasons, especially for areas that fall along major flyways. To enhance biosecurity and prevent avian influenza from reaching your flocks, poultry farmers should focus on key practices that minimize the risk of disease transmission. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension, biosecurity measures such as isolation, traffic control, and sanitation are critical. 

• Isolation: Prevent wild birds, especially waterfowl, which are the primary carriers, from coming into contact with your poultry. Maintain clean surroundings by cutting grass around poultry houses and eliminating standing water. 

• Traffic Control: Restrict access to poultry houses, limiting non-essential visitors and equipment that could spread the virus. For those who must enter, provide protective clothing and footwear used exclusively within the poultry house. This is vital to avoid inadvertently bringing in the virus from outside sources. 

• Sanitation: Thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and surfaces between flocks. Use a variety of disinfectants to ensure effectiveness, and sanitize equipment regularly to limit contamination. 

  
  

While biosecurity measures can significantly reduce the risk of avian influenza reaching your flocks, there is always the potential for the virus to find a way in. The best step you can take to protect your operation is to secure insurance that mitigates the financial burden of an outbreak. Once avian influenza is detected in your area, it's too late to purchase coverage. Just as flood insurance becomes unavailable once the water starts rising, poultry farmers must act ahead of time to ensure they are covered before an outbreak occurs. 

ARU was founded in 2016 to provide tailored poultry insurance solutions. Our flagship product, Poultry Plus, is the world's only insurance product designed specifically for contract poultry growers and the unique risks they face. Through Poultry Plus, at policy inception or renewal, you can access Poultry Specialty Coverage*, which offers protection for loss of income due to an avian influenza outbreak on your premises or dependent integrator properties.

Poultry Specialty Coverage also includes extra expense coverage for virus clean-up and 11 other unique offerings that are not available anywhere else on the market. To obtain a poultry insurance quote, have your broker reach out to us directly.

In conclusion, as fall migration heightens the risks of avian influenza, poultry farmers should remain vigilant in protecting their flocks. This includes enhancing biosecurity through isolation, traffic control, and sanitation and obtaining the right poultry insurance coverage. Taking steps to secure your farm ahead of time can make a critical difference in minimizing the financial strain of an avian influenza outbreak. 

*Due to the ongoing outbreak, Poultry Specialty Coverage at ARU is currently unavailable for breeders, free-range, and turkeys. 

Sources:

Migratory bird flyways in North America., North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Public Domain, https://www.fws.gov/media/migratory-bird-flyways-north-america

Poultry Biosecurity Measures Imperative During Current Avian Influenza Outbreaks, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Public Domain, https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/poultry-biosecurity-measures-imperative-during-current-avian-influenza-outbreaks/

Biosecurity for Backyard Poultry Flocks, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Public Domain, https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/biosecurity-for-backyard-poultry-flocks/

CDC Reported H5N1 Bird Flu Detections in US Backyard and Commercial Poultry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Domain, https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/data-map-commercial.html