MBAH HPAI logo

Mississippi

Avian Influenza

Status  of  Avian  Influenza  in  Mississippi

Latest Update 

01/27/2025

Biosecurity Tips and Resources

REPORT DEAD BIRDS

Use the system below to report high backyard poultry deaths or unusual wild bird deaths.

Permit to Move Birds

Permits are required for moving birds into the state of Mississippi.

Disease Basics

 

N

WHAT IS AVIAN INFLUENZA (AI)?

Avian influenza is a disease caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds (such as ducks, gulls, and shorebirds) worldwide and can infect domestic poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, quail, and geese) through their mucus, saliva, or feces.

N

WILL EATING POULTRY INCREASE THE RISK FOR BECOMING INFECTED WITH AI?

Birds are inspected for signs of illness before being processed, and only healthy birds enter the food supply chain. Properly prepared and cooked poultry is safe to eat so it is not a potential source of AI virus. Cooking poultry to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills any AI virus if it is present, as well as other organisms that can make people sick.

N

CAN AI AFFECT HUMANS?

Avian flu viruses normally do not infect humans. However, sporadic infections of avian flu viruses in mammals have been reported. Importantly, the risk to the public remains low. Recent human cases have occurred in farm workers who worked on infected dairy or poultry farms. One human death has been associated with avian flu in the United States and was related to infected backyard poultry and wild birds.  Precautions should be taken when handling sick or dead birds to prevent the spread of avian influenza to people.   These precautions include proper handwashing, using gloves, wearing masks, and sanitizing surfaces that come into contact with sick or dead birds. More information can be found at:

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/inhumans.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/inhumans.htm

N

WHAT TYPES OF BIRDS CAN BE SICK WITH AI?

Wild birds that can be infected with bird flu viruses include waterfowl, like ducks, geese and swans, and birds of prey. Bird flu can spread from wild birds to poultry, like chickens and turkeys. While most wild birds can be infected with bird flu viruses without being sick, poultry, like chickens and turkeys, can get very sick and die from certain bird flu viruses.

N

HOW CAN AI BE PREVENTED?

The most important way to prevent AI in domestic poultry flocks is to consistently practice strong biosecurity, prevent contact between your birds and wild birds (particularly waterfowl), and immediately reporting sick or dying birds to the proper officials. Dead birds should be double‐bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.  Dead birds can be reported here:

https://agnet.mdac.ms.gov/MBAHReportablePublic/birddeathlanding

More information on biosecurity can be found here: https://www.mbah.ms.gov/biosecurity/

N

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH AN INFECTED BIRD?

It is important to watch for symptoms and follow your local or state health department’s instructions even if your contact was short and you took safety measures. Report any symptoms to your healthcare provider and state or local health department right away.

During the 10 days after your last exposure, you should watch for these symptoms:

  • Fever (Temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater)
  • Feeling feverish/Chills*
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath
  • Eye tearing, redness, or irritation
  • Headaches
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Diarrhea

*Fever may not always be present

Contact us

Call Us

Hot line: 1-888-646-8731

Email Us

msstatevet@mdac.ms.gov

Our Location

Mississippi Board of Animal Health

121 North Jefferson Street
Jackson, MS 39201

P O Box 3889
Jackson, MS 39207

Contact Us