Following outbreaks of HPAI in Washington State during mid to late October, Dr. Amber Itle, State Veterinarian justifiably encouraged owners of backyard flocks to enhance biosecurity.  Given that most backyard flocks are allowed access to the exterior of houses, the recommendation to “improve biosecurity” is impractical given the inevitability of contact between migratory and domestic carriers of infection among subsistence and non-commercial flocks.

What is of interest is the comment by Dr. Itle, that “This disease is preventable”.  If by “preventable” Dr. Itle implies that biosecurity provides absolute protection, this is contrary to reality.  Not even a high level of biosecurity in combination with vaccination will provide complete protection.  Dr. Itle is theoretically correct in recommending “Avoid contact with wild birds, bring birds undercover and away from ponds, keep feed in containers and bring flocks in at night and avoid mixing species including ducks and chickens.”  Allowing backyard flocks outside access will not “avoid contact with wild birds”.

Changing housing and management of backyard flocks to achieve even a moderate level of biosecurity is impractical.  Fortunately, backyard birds serve only as sentinels of HPAI infection in an area. Absent direct contact with commercial flocks, backyard farms are insignificant in the epidemiology of avian influenza as it applies to the commercial poultry industry.