Bird and Animal Questions

Actions are being taken that help protect poultry, other animals, and humans from H5N1 avian influenza. Find answers to frequently asked questions about bird and animal issues by following the links  to categories below.

• Backyard Flocks
• Bird Feeder
• Migratory Birds
• Pets
• Wild Birds
  
  

Backyard Flocks

• We have a small flock of chickens. Is it safe to keep them?

Bird Feeder

• Can a person become infected with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus by cleaning a bird feeder?

Migratory Birds

• Are migratory birds carrying the virus from one country to another?
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• Can migratory birds bring highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 to North America?
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• Has the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus been detected in migratory birds in the United States?
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• What is the Department of the Interior doing to check wild migratory birds for avian influenza?

Pets

• Are my pets at risk from this new H5N1 strain of avian influenza?
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• Can dogs be infected with avian influenza?
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• Is there a risk to importing pet birds that come from countries experiencing outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1)?

Wild Birds

• What kinds of wild birds primarily carry avian influenza?
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• What precautions can be taken to reduce the risk from infection from wild birds in the United States?
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• What if a wild bird infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is found on a National Wildlife Refuge?
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• Should wild birds be culled if they are infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)?
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• What precautions can hunters take to reduce the risk for infection from avian influenza when hunting birds in the United States?
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• Has avian influenza been found on any National Wildlife Refuge?