Avian Influenza, often referred to as HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza), Avian Flu, or H5N1 Bird Flu, is a highly infectious viral disease that hit the United States in February of 2022 by migrating wild birds.

At first, this virus only affected wild and domestic birds, but now the U.S. has seen cases in dairy cattle, domestic and wild animals, and human cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “while the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.”

The USDA and FDA have stated that pasteurized milk does not pose a risk to consumer health. There is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply because it’s pasteurized before entering the market. Colorado will most likely see an increase in avian flu outbreaks this spring as wild birds begin to migrate. Be careful, as wild birds can oftentimes be affected by the virus without showing symptoms.

The virus is spread by contact, whether saliva, nasal secretions and/or feces. Even coming in contact with infected surfaces can contaminate other birds. So, good biosecurity practices are incredibly important. Wash and disinfect your hands, clothes, boots, gloves, equipment, etc., after working with birds or other animals. Likewise, be considerate of other individual’s animals to keep them healthy.

Closely monitor a flock for signs of sick birds. Maintain a closed flock by keeping wild and neighboring birds from co-mingling with your birds. When bringing new birds into your backyard flock, quarantine them for a few weeks while you monitor them to ensure they are healthy before introducing them into an existing flock. If choosing to purchase birds, purchase them from a credible source.

Do research and ask about biosecurity practices regarding the Avian Flu and if they’ve had an outbreak.

Symptoms of avian influenza in birds include sudden death, lack of energy, decreased appetite and poor coordination. Other signs may be purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts, diarrhea, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, reduced egg production or the presence of soft-shelled or misshapen eggs.

This viral disease is fatal once a bird becomes infected. All 50 states have reported cases. Since February 2022, a total of 166,891,036 commercial and backyard birds have been affected. In Colorado, there have been 9,735,782 affected birds. Moffat County experienced two outbreaks in 2023, which impacted 120 birds.  

You may be wondering if this is why the price of eggs in Colorado has skyrocketed. Well, yes, partly.

Due to the fatality of the disease, the number of egg-laying hens in Colorado and the U.S. has significantly reduced. Couple that with the new law in Colorado as of Jan. 1, which states that eggs sold in Colorado must be cage-free, and you’ll see Colorado prices for large, white shell eggs well above the national average.

Colorado’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Kate Greenwood, may disagree and blame the price of eggs on the avian flu, but I’ll leave that to you, the consumer, to decide. The new law states that producers must provide at least one square foot per egg-laying hen. This has greatly limited the number of suppliers able to provide eggs to grocery stores in the state of Colorado.

To report sick domestic or wild birds, call the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office at 303-869-9130, the USDA Veterinary Services Colorado Office at 303-231-5385, or the Avian Health Hotline at Colorado State University at 970-297-4008. For more information about the Avian Flu, you can visit the local Moffat County Extension Office located in the new Court House.

Megan Stetson is the Extension Director for Moffat County.