Extension Office: Avian Flu is Back

There is a lot of news to keep up on recently, almost overwhelmingly so. For those who own chickens or other poultry, the news that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H1N5 has been reported in Indiana has likely hit your eyes and ears. On Jan. 4, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health sent out updates of a confirmed case in Indiana, in Jay County. The last reported positive case of HPAI before then was in February 2024.

Since the Jan. 4 case in Jay County, there has been two more cases in Jay County and cases in Jackson, Shelby, Adams and Allen counties. There also have been cases in 2025 reported in our neighboring states of Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.

Why do outbreaks of Avian Flu in those counties matter to us in Montgomery County? HPAI is a financial and management risk to farms and hobbyists across the state. These outbreaks stand as good reminder and call to action to make sure we are protecting ourselves and our poultry. According to the 2022 Montgomery County Ag Census, Montgomery County had over $5,600,000 in eggs and poultry sales. According to the Indiana BOAH, “nationally, Indiana ranks first in the production of ducks, third in eggs, third in turkeys, and overall is a significant producer of broilers.”

What to know about HPAI?

HPAI is a highly infectious and fatal form of avian influenza that can strike poultry without warning. Although most avian influenza viruses are classified as low pathogenic and cause mild or no symptoms, some LPAI strains can mutate into HPAI viruses. Wild migratory waterfowl are considered the natural reservoir for these viruses. HPAI can cause sudden death in birds without warning. Other clinical signs include lack of energy and appetite, decreased egg production or deformed egg production (deformed shaped or weak shells), swelling of the head and or eyelids, nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing, overall incoordination and diarrhea.

If you notice any of these signs in your flock, immediately contact the USDA APHIS at (866) 536-7593 for assistance and further steps. Visit in.gov/boah/for more info.

Poultry Owners

How to protect yourself and your birds? Register your premise with the Premises Identification Program so that if a case were to occur here in our county, you would be contacted if your birds were located within the a certain radius of the initial case for monitoring.

Indiana state law requires premise identification for all sites associated with the purchase, sale or exhibition of the following species: cattle, swine, sheep, goats and cervids. Equine and poultry sites may be registered on a voluntary basis.

Practice good biosecurity and good sanitation. Limiting who interacts with your birds, prevent wild / migratory bird interactions, clean and disinfect your feeders and watering equipment, cleaning and disinfecting your personal equipment (shoes and boots), and avoid borrowing or sharing with other farms with birds.

Impact to Consumers

Eggs (and milk) are being tested at processing facilities before going to market.  Fully cooked eggs and pasteurized milk are safe to consume. Runny eggs are not fully cooked! (Cattle can also contract HPAI and the virus has been found in raw milk.)

Egg prices are up, and will likely not come down until outbreaks are managed across the Midwest and the markets haves settled. 

Upcoming Extension Events:

Steps To a Healthy You: “Learn practical guidelines to a healthier lifestyle and making the Mediterranean diet approachable and achievable.” – Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m. from Feb. 19 through March 19 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds

Bi-State Homesteading Conference: Local Food Panel, Beekeeping, & Backyard Poultry – Feb. 18 at The Beef House in Covington, 10:30-2:30 p.m. eastern time.

If you would like more information on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or the upcoming Extension Events, contact Tricia Herr at the Purdue Extension office (765) 364-6363 or [email protected]. You can also go Indiana BOAH website, https://www.in.gov/boah/.

Tricia Herr is an Extension Educator | Agriculture & Natural Resources for Purdue Extension Montgomery County Office