The High Path Avian Influenza virus has been found in waterfowl and poultry populations in North Carolina. It has not yet been reported in Clay County. However, it is spreading quickly, and at this time, it is recommended that anyone with a poultry flock practice biosecurity measures such as keeping your domestic flock away from wild birds and keeping your flock in a protected area like a coop or chicken tractor. It is also recommended to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of the avian bird flu.

According to the NC State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services symptoms of the Avian Bird Flu include:

• Reduced energy, decreased appetite, and/or decreased activity
• Lower egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb and wattles
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
• Difficulty breathing, runny nares (nose), and/or sneezing
• Twisting of the head and neck, stumbling, falling down, tremors and/or circling
• Greenish diarrhea

If any of your birds have symptoms it is important that you contact the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division at 919-707-3250, your local veterinarian, the state veterinarian Dr. Michael Martin at Michael.Martin@ncagr.gov, the State Director of Poultry Health Programs Dr. Rebecca Mansell at Rebecca.Mansell@ncagr.gov or your local Extension Office. The contact for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Clay County Center is 828-389-6305 or lcgonzal@ncsu.edu.

To learn more about Avian Bird Flu, including biosecurity measures you can take, and to stay up to date with the most recent updates please visit:

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

or

NC State Poultry Extension