Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu in poultry, is a serious concern for farmers, poultry producers, and consumers. The virus primarily affects birds, but it has also impacted other mammals including dairy cows and has raised concerns about the impact on human health and food safety.
This guide answers key questions, including:
- Can you catch bird flu from eating chicken?
- How to prevent bird flu in chickens?
- Does avian flu affect humans?
- What are poultry producers doing to control outbreaks?
We’ll cover the latest updates on avian influenza, its impact on poultry, and how you can ensure food safety.
What Is Avian Influenza in Poultry?
Avian influenza is caused by different strains of the influenza virus. It is categorized into two types:
- Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) – Causes mild symptoms or none at all.
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – Can spread rapidly, leading to severe illness and high mortality in birds.
What is the Difference Between an Egg Laying Hen and a Broiler Chicken?
As HPAI continues to pose a threat to poultry operations, it’s important to understand the distinct roles that egg laying hens (layers) and broiler chickens play in the food system – and how each is uniquely impacted by the disease.
Layers are responsible for producing the nation’s table eggs. A single hen can lay over 300 eggs per year, making them vital for daily consumer staples like breakfast eggs and baking ingredients.
Broiler chickens are raised specifically for meat production, reaching market weight in just 6-8 weeks. These chickens supply grocery stores and restaurants with products such as breasts, wings, and thighs.
Layer flocks are older and in production longer than broiler chickens, which increases their risk of HPAI exposure. If infected, the loss of a flock can disrupt the egg supply chain for weeks or months.
Broilers, because of their shorter lifespan, have lower overall exposure risk, though outbreaks can still occur. If a broiler flock is affected by HPAI and must be depopulated, these farms are typically restocked more quickly than layer flocks. In addition, the number of birds on a broiler farm is significantly smaller than that of a layer farm. As such, fewer birds are lost if a broiler farm is affected by HPAI compared with a layer farm.
The current HPAI outbreak has impacted egg laying hens more than other poultry species, including broilers.
How to Prevent Bird Flu in Chickens
Preventing avian influenza in poultry is a top priority for chicken farmers, the poultry industry, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Poultry producers follow strict biosecurity measures, including:
- Limiting farm visitors and controlling access to flocks
- Keeping poultry separate from wild birds
- Regular cleaning and disinfection of farm equipment
- Implementing pest and rodent control measures
Signs and symptoms of bird flu in chickens are closely monitored, and farmers work with veterinarians to test for the virus.
Every flock is tested for bird flu. If a single bird in a commercial flock tests positive, none of the birds from that flock enter the food supply. Learn more about these biosecurity practices in action. [Link to YouTube video].
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.
What Happens During a Bird Flu Outbreak in Poultry?
Avian flu is a serious issue that is closely monitored by chicken farmers, the poultry industry, and USDA. The U.S. has the most robust monitoring and surveillance programs in the world – and detailed plans in place to control spreading among flocks and eliminate the virus completely. All U.S. flocks are tested for avian influenza, and if a single bird in a flock were to test positive for avian flu, then none of those birds would be allowed to enter the food supply.
Farmers, the USDA and the poultry industry as a whole continue to monitor for the virus closely, and have increased surveillance and biosecurity measures to keep flocks protected. Good biosecurity practices on the farm are key to preventing avian influenza from infecting the birds.
The following biosecurity measures are the most important to prevent disease spread and promote flock health:
- Limiting visitors on the farm and minimizing foot traffic;
- Avoiding contact with wild and domestic fowl;
- Avoiding the sharing of farm equipment;
- Having a clean and functioning footbath at each entrance to the broiler house;
- Ensuring that all visitors or personnel have disinfected or new footwear before entering a house or facility;
- Making sure feed and water sources are covered and free of contaminants, limiting the attraction of wild fowl and pests;
- Having official signage clearly stating the farm is a biosecure zone and any unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited;
- Employing effective pest and wild bird management practices; and
- Adequately training farmers, farm and company personnel in biosecurity and disease prevention.
See biosecurity practices in action and learn how farmers monitor the health of the chicken flock.
Can Bird Flu Be Transmitted from Human to Human?
One of the biggest concerns is whether avian flu can be transmitted from human to human. The good news is that according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), human-to-human transmission has not been documented. Most cases of human infection occur after direct exposure to infected cows or birds.
So, while the effect of avian flu on humans is a valid concern and something that is closely monitored and tracked by public health officials, the chances of transmission to people are very low unless there is close, prolonged contact with infected cows or poultry.
Can You Get Bird Flu from Eating Chicken?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions surrounding bird flu. The answer is no – avian flu is not a foodborne illness. According to the CDC, there is no evidence of HPAI infection in the U.S. after eating properly handled and cooked poultry products,
- Can you get bird flu from cooked chicken? No, because cooking chicken at the recommended internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) kills the virus.
- Does cooking chicken kill bird flu? Yes, heat destroys the virus completely.
- Can you get bird flu from eating eggs? No, as long as eggs are properly cooked.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ensures that no infected poultry enters the food supply, making any contact with bird flu from eating chicken or eggs extremely unlikely.
Are Chickens Tested for Bird Flu?
Yes, every commercial chicken flock in the U.S. undergoes testing before leaving the farm. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ensure:
- Every flock is tested for avian influenza before processing.
- Poultry products are inspected for safety and proper labeling.
- Any flock that tests positive is depopulated and not allowed to enter the food supply.
Consumers can feel confident that their chicken is safe to eat.
Should You Be Concerned about Bird Flu?
While bird flu poultry outbreaks can be devastating for farmers, the risk to humans is minimal. Properly cooked poultry is completely safe to eat. If you raise chickens, monitoring for signs of bird flu in chickens and practicing biosecurity can keep your flock healthy.
