APRIL 2022 (Updated October 2022)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu,” is a serious, highly contagious disease that is often fatal to chickens and turkeys.
Outbreaks of HPAI can result in culling entire flocks, loss of income, and an overwhelming toll on farmers’ and workers’ physical and mental health. HPAI requires a rapid response to keep the virus from spreading between flocks and farms. During an outbreak, the goal is to contain and eradicate the disease quickly, protecting our poultry workers and industry, and in turn, the American consumer. Human infections with avian influenza are rare, but possible, mainly through direct contact with sick birds.
UMASH has prepared a toolkit to help poultry farmers enhance prevention with biosecurity protocols, identify the signs and symptoms of HPAI in birds, and stay connected to additional resources from USDA – APHIS and state departments of agriculture.
ACCESS THE HPAI TOOLKIT
HPAI TOOLKIT
UNDERSTAND AVIAN INFLUENZA
Be informed by learning the facts, and latest information on avian influenza outbreaks.
- Current situation
- Information on Bird Flu
- Avian Influenza (definition)
- Fast Facts
- Disease Images
- HPAI Mapping Tool (Minnesota Department of Agriculture)

PRACTICE BIOSECURITY
Be prepared with a solid biosecurity plan to help prevent the spread and protect your flock.
- Biosecurity 101
- Biosecurity Planning
- VIDEO: Biosecurity Practices to Protect Your Poultry (English, Spanish)
- Handwashing posters (English, Spanish)
- Infectious Disease on the Farm: Fact Sheet
- Avian Influenza Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines
- HPAI Mapping Tool (Minnesota Department of Agriculture)

MONITOR YOUR FLOCK’S HEALTH
Know the signs of disease and check your flock daily for signs of illness.
Signs of disease:
- Sudden death
- lack of energy, appetite and coordination
- purple discoloration and/or swelling of various body parts
- diarrhea; nasal discharge; coughing
- sneezing; reduced egg production and/or abnormal eggs.
- Familiarize yourself with images of avian influenza disease.
Quarantine sick birds right away.

REPORT SICK BIRDS
Know the procedure for reporting sick birds in your state.
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Minnesota
Minnesota Avian Influenza Hotline:
1-833-454-0156
Press 1 to report a sick domestic bird. Press 2 to report a sick or dead wild bird. Press 3 for biosecurity and general poultry management questions. Press 4 for permitting and control areas. Press 5 for all other inquiries. -
Iowa
If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases should also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture at (515) 281-5305. Concerned residents both within and outside the areas affected by avian influenza are encouraged to use the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985 if they have questions.
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South Dakota
Dr. Mendel Miller
Acting State Veterinarian, SD Animal Industry Board
Phone: 605-773-3321
E-mail : mendel.miller@state.sd.us
Health Certificate Email: aibmail@state.sd.us
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North Dakota
All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and immediately report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through the state veterinarian at 701-328-2655 or your private veterinarian.
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Michigan
The following hotlines are available for reporting suspected HPAI infections.
DOMESTIC BIRDS:
800-292-3939 (daytime); 517-373-0440 (after-hours)
WILD BIRDS:
517-336-5030
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Wisconsin
To report a disease, contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) using one of the methods below to ensure the report will reach DATCP within the time limit:
Phone: 608-224-4872, Mon-Fri, 7:45am-4:30pm
Email: DATCPAnimalImports@wisconsin.gov
Evenings & weekends: (800) 943-0003. Tell the duty officer you are reporting a potential animal disease.
RESOURCES BY ROLE:
For more information about HPAI:
- Overall USDA Biosecurity Page – Defend the Flock – USDA’s Defend the Flock education program offers free tools and resources to help everyone who works with or handles poultry follow proper biosecurity practices.
- CDC Information on Avian Flu – The Centers for Disease Control compiles updated information about bird flu, or avian influenza.
- Center for Food Security and Public Health (Iowa State University) – Iowa State University provides technical and fast facts about avian influenza, including disease images and prevention strategies.
- UMN Extension Poultry Biosecurity – University of Minnesota Extension compiles biosecurity resources for poultry operations.
OTHER RELATED RESOURCES:
How Infected Backyard Poultry Could Spread Bird Flu to People
cdc.gov
Protect Your Small Flock from Avian Influenza
U of M Extension / MN Board of Animal Health
Poultry Morbidity and Mortality
Poultry Biosecurity
Cross Only at Biosecure Entry Point Sign
Poultry Biosecurity
Wear Protective Boots Sign (English)
Poultry Biosecurity
Wear Protective Boots Sign (Spanish)
Poultry Biosecurity
Clean Boots Sign (English)
Poultry Biosecurity
Clean Boots Sign (Spanish)
Poultry Biosecurity
Defend the Flock Info Card (English)
USDA - APHIS
Defend the Flock Info Card (Spanish)
USDA - APHIS