Even though the 2024-2025 migratory bird season is winding down, concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza — commonly known as bird flu — remain. The public is paying attention. Consumers are experiencing volatility in egg prices and are concerned about food safety. Backyard birders are all a flutter. For poultry farmers and the scientific community committed to protecting them, it’s not a time to kick back and relax. The concern to control bird flu remains a 24-hour, 7-day a week, 365-day effort.

Georgie Cartanza, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension state poultry agent, is burning the candle at both ends, trying to get the message across. With one leg in the scientific realm and the other in public outreach, Cartanza also grows organic chickens in Kent County. Cartanza has seen bird flu from all angles and is an ideal go-to person on bird flu prevention. One of her most pressing issues is biosecurity awareness, which means keeping the disease off of farms and out of backyards. 

Her mission takes her to three separate audiences: Poultry producers, backyard flock owners and the people who don’t own birds.

Cartanza is often asked questions about bird flu by non-agriculture audiences. They come to her through her commitment to public outreach, which takes her everywhere from elementary schools to gardening clubs. Here are some important things she wants everyone to know about this disease:

Bird flu is likely here to stay

It doesn’t come from chickens. The respiratory virus is transmitted by migratory birds, primarily waterfowl, that can carry the virus and spread it through their droppings, nasal secretions or saliva.  

Fall and spring intensify the risk of bird flu because wild birds are out and about in large numbers and make rest stops during their migration, which are often close to poultry farms and backyard flock enclosures. However, the virus remains a year-round issue because Delaware has a large permanent resident bird population, including ducks and geese that are likely carriers of the virus.

“The virus is here,” Cartanza said. “I don’t think it 100% ever leaves here. But I think it’s the degree and the volume of virus present that’s what it really comes down to. Bottom line is, no matter what time of year it is, you can’t say there is zero risk.” 

The virus typically spreads through contact with infected droppings, nasal secretions and saliva. Cooler temperatures and wet areas can preserve the virus in the environment for longer periods of time. 

Backyard flock owners need to be on their toes 

Interest in raising backyard chickens skyrocketed in 2020 alongside the COVID-19 pandemic. And with egg prices once again on the rise because of a double whammy of bird flu and inflation, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has recommended people raise backyard chickens as a respite against high egg prices.                                               

But it is a huge commitment, Cartanza warns. Potential flock owners should investigate any state, local or neighborhood restrictions on raising chickens on residential property and consider the initial and long-term costs of a protective coop, feed and veterinary expenses, as well as how the birds will be protected from migratory birds and predators.  

Barn-dedicated footwear is the norm for many

Bird flu may be a respiratory virus, but it still spreads through ground traffic. The shoes people wear every day could unknowingly spread the virus. 

That’s why “dedicated footwear” is Cartanza’s mantra to the masses. Biosecurity is her mission. And she heeds her own advice. Like many commercial poultry growers, Cartanza has transitioned away from “farm-dedicated footwear” to “barn-dedicated footwear.”

Before she walks into each of her four chicken houses, Cartanza switches out her footwear. Once she puts on her barn-dedicated boots, she steps into disinfectant before she enters the control room of a poultry house. After, she steps into another cleaning solution before tending to her chickens.

Cartanza encourages backyard flock owners to keep a sealed tote with a dedicated pair of shoes at the edge of their coop. 

She adds backyard flock owners need to be extra careful when they’re running errands. 

“Let’s say they go to Tractor Supply and they’re picking up some feed for their chickens,” Cartanza said. “They should not wear the same shoes to Tractor Supply and then walk back to their poultry area, because you don't know who else has been to Tractor Supply and what they had on their shoes, and you don't want to bring that back to your backyard.” 

Don’t bring the outdoors in  

Cartanza’s advice isn’t just for poultry producers and backyard flock owners. The public has a valuable role in biosecurity. Outdoor enthusiasts of all types, including birdwatchers, hikers, nature photographers, kayakers, anglers and hunters, need to be mindful of wild bird droppings in the landscape, whether they raise poultry or not.

“I go fishing sometimes, and there’s goose poop everywhere. So I think about that. Do I want that in my home?” Cartanza said.

Cartanza offers a proactive solution for those who’ve spent time outdoors. “You might want to get yourself a can of Lysol,” Cartanza said. “You first have to remove the organic material from the bottom of your shoe and then spray your shoe. Lysol is one of the best. The contact time is ‘bam.’ A lot of disinfectants take 10 minutes, and Lysol is immediate.”

Hunters, in particular, should be very careful when handling dead wildlife directly. For example, if they shoot a migratory bird, they need to be careful when picking up their catch and avoid touching their face before washing their hands.

“That virus can live in the sinus cavity for up to 48 hours,” Cartanza said. “So a hunter needs to be extra cautious. We would suggest that they don’t go in or around their poultry for three to five days after they’ve been around a bird that may have contained the virus.” 

Common-sense food safety

Cartanza is happy to promote common-sense food safety practices when handling fruit, vegetables, poultry, fish and other meat proteins.

In handling and preparing poultry, wash your hands and be mindful of anything that may come in contact with uncooked poultry. This includes knives, other utensils and cutting boards. These items should not be used for fresh fruits and vegetables unless they have been cleaned and sanitized.

And cooking food properly is the best way to kill any pathogens, Cartanza said.

“As long as that chicken or egg is cooked to 165 degrees, it is safe to eat,” Cartanza said.

When you see a sick or dead duck or goose, act.  

In the past, many wild, migratory birds that are carriers of the virus showed no signs of illness. 

Now, however, wild birds have been getting or dying as a result of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and their carcasses can end up in people’s yards. The carcasses can attract the interest of other animals and even domestic pets, thus risking the further spread of the virus. 

If you see a sick bird, don’t touch it.

“Sick birds should not be handled because their behavior can be unpredictable,” Cartanza said. “They could peck, they could scratch, and a person could be harmed or exposed to whatever illness that bird has.” 

Sick or dead birds should be reported to the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife at this form or call the division at 302-735-3600 (Ext. 2) if you notice at least five sick or dead wild animals in the same place.

Cartanza created a video to show people how to properly dispose of dead wild birds.

“If a bird comes on your property and dies, the best thing you’re going to want to do is put on gloves, plastic booties, place the bird in a bag, and try to have the least amount of contact with it as possible. Seal that bag up, and then place that bag in another bag and seal it up. And then it is safe to be disposed of in the trash can,” Cartanza said.

The whole process is all about preventing any other wildlife from accessing that dead bird. Cartanza even sprays her gloved hands with Lysol after throwing out a dead bird, to prevent the virus from moving from one touch point to another.

Poultry producers and backyard flock owners who notice sick or dead domestic birds should call the Delaware Department of Agriculture at 302-698-4507 to facilitate getting their birds tested.