• By Carolyn Beck
• Posted Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Emerging Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza May Affect Birds and Poultry

In the coming months, NC may be impacted by an emerging threat known as HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza), a novel virus (H5N2) which occurs mainly in birds and is especially deadly for poultry. It is typically spread by wild birds flying along their migratory paths. HPAI can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, etc. All virus strains can potentially spread quickly from flock to flock and kill most infected birds.

Forsyth County Cooperative Extension has put together a fact sheet that outlines signs & symptoms, how the virus is spread, how to protect flocks (including backyard flocks) and how to register your flocks. I have attached the document and a link is provided:

HPAI Brochure

More information can be found at the following website:

http://www.ncagr.gov/avianflu/