{"id":311,"date":"2026-02-13T18:54:54","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T18:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/?post_type=resource-cpt&#038;p=311"},"modified":"2026-02-27T21:37:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:37:10","slug":"highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza","status":"publish","type":"resource-cpt","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/resource\/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza\/","title":{"rendered":"Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<nav class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links is-style-table-of-contents container container--narrow\"><div class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__outer-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__container\"><button class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__label\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Table of Contents<svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M17.5 11.6L12 16l-5.5-4.4.9-1.2L12 14l4.5-3.6 1 1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__links-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__links\"><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Highly-Pathogenic-Avian-Influenza\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#How-is-the-disease-transmitted\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">How is the disease transmitted<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Signs-of-Avian-Influenza\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Signs of Avian Influenza<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Biosecurity-is-the-key-to-preventing-the-spread-of-disease\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Biosecurity is the key to preventing the spread of disease<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#What-to-do-if-you-have-sick-birds\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">What to do if you have sick birds<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Other-Resources\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Other Resources<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wp-block-pattern-longform-content is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-dc0c0d66 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Highly-Pathogenic-Avian-Influenza\"><strong>Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Outbreak Resources for Backyard Producers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and wild birds (especially waterfowl). Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens and turkeys, and can spread rapidly from flock-to-flock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the recent detections (since February 2022) of the Eurasian H5 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds and domestic poultry in the United States, bird owners should review their biosecurity practices and stay vigilant to protect poultry and pet birds from this disease. We have recently had confirmation of HPAI in Colorado wild and domestic birds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-simple\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-is-the-disease-transmitted\"><strong>How is the disease transmitted?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Foot traffic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secretions from the bird<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact with infected droppings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Movement of sick birds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contaminated clothing and equipment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Poultry with HPAI do not survive the illness. Vaccines for HPAI are not readily available<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-simple\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Signs-of-Avian-Influenza\"><strong>Signs of Avian Influenza<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decrease in feed or water intake<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, wattle, and hocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decrease in egg production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extreme depression<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sudden unexplained death<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-simple\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Biosecurity-is-the-key-to-preventing-the-spread-of-disease\"><strong><strong>Biosecurity is the key to preventing the spread of disease!<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"268\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/02\/nr-hpai-diagram-26.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Illustrative infographic on the steps to preventing the spread of disease. \" class=\"wp-image-604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/02\/nr-hpai-diagram-26.jpg 1279w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/02\/nr-hpai-diagram-26.jpg?resize=300,79 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/02\/nr-hpai-diagram-26.jpg?resize=768,201 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/02\/nr-hpai-diagram-26.jpg?resize=1024,268 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/02\/nr-hpai-diagram-26.jpg?resize=600,157 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-simple\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-to-do-if-you-have-sick-birds\"><strong>What to do if you have sick birds? REPORT IT!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your birds are sick or dying, report it right away. This is one of the most important things you can do to keep HPAI from spreading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CALL:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your flock or local veterinarian<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The State veterinarian <a href=\"tel:3038699130\" data-type=\"tel\" data-id=\"tel:3038699130\"><strong>(303) 869-9130<\/strong><\/a>, available 24 hours\/day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The State avian health team <a href=\"tel:9702971281\" data-type=\"tel\" data-id=\"tel:9702971281\"><strong>(970) 297-1281<\/strong><\/a>, only answered 9-5weekdays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USDA Sick bird line, toll-free at <strong><a href=\"tel:8665367593\" data-type=\"tel\" data-id=\"tel:8665367593\">1-866-536-7593<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-simple\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Other-Resources\"><strong>Other Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/resource\/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai\/\"><strong> Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) &#8211; Fact Sheet<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.colorado.gov\/animal-health\/reportable-diseases\/avian-influenza\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Avian Influenza | CDA<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.colorado.gov\/animal-health\/reportable-diseases\/avian-influenza\/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-outbreak\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreak | CDA<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aphis.usda.gov\/aphis\/ourfocus\/animalhealth\/animal-disease-information\/avian\/defend-the-flock-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Defend the Flock Program | USDA<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bluenotflu.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Bring Home the Blue, Not the Flu! &#8211; Free Courses for Youth<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aphis.usda.gov\/aphis\/ourfocus\/animalhealth\/animal-disease-information\/avian\/avian-influenza\/hpai-2022\/2022-hpai-wild-birds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>USDA: positive detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild bird populations<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IwpB9JW6XeU&amp;t=1s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>HPAI Webinar for Backyard and Exhibition Poultry Producers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uphFwQqkiB4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>HPAI Webinar for Commercial Poultry Producers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreak Resources for Backyard Producers Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"area_tax":[],"county_tax":[73],"global-category_tax":[141,170,183],"global-offering_tax":[],"global-sub-category_tax":[],"global-topic_tax":[374],"region_tax":[],"resource-type_tax":[387],"class_list":["post-311","resource-cpt","type-resource-cpt","status-publish","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt\/311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resource-cpt"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt\/311\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1049,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt\/311\/revisions\/1049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"area_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area_tax?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"county_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/county_tax?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"global-category_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-category_tax?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"global-offering_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-offering_tax?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"global-sub-category_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-sub-category_tax?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"global-topic_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-topic_tax?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"region_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region_tax?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type_tax?post=311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}