To owners of small poultry flocks:

Avian influenza (AI) is a disease that can cause severe mortality in domestic poultry. The summer months require particular vigilance for AI, because poultry shows, auctions and live markets create an increased opportunity for this dangerous virus to gain entry to flocks of domestic poultry.

We are encouraging all bird owners to institute some simple and practical biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.

The publication, "Avian Influenza" covers some basic facts about AI and outlines practices that, when incorporated, can limit the risk of becoming infected.

"Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza" describes what the highly pathogenic form of this disease can look like.

If you encounter unusual mortality in your flocks, we recommend that you take a sample of sick or freshly dead birds to your nearest California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory for a diagnostic evaluation. Small flock owners are not charged for this service. For information on submission you can call (530) 752-8700 or E-mail: cahfsdavis@ucdavis.edu. Please feel free to contact us at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medicine Extension with your questions.

Carol Cardona, DVM, PhD, ACPV
Poultry Extension Veterinarian
UC Davis Campus

Joan Jeffrey, DVM, MS, ACPV
Poultry Extension Veterinarian
Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Tulare