Managing HPAI Risk on Farms and Feedlots
While not a new disease concern, there’s much to learn about avian influenza.
June 3, 2025
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is caused by infection with avian influenza Type A virus. This disease is not new. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first description of avian influenza was in 1878 in Italy. It was described as a contagious disease of poultry associated with high mortality, and referred to as “fowl plague.”
Avian influenza viruses readily spread among migratory birds and can infect domestic poultry, as well as other birds and animals. This virus does not normally infect humans, but there have been cases. Like many flu viruses, this one keeps mutating and changing, opportunistically infecting more species. During the past year, the virus has shown up in cattle.
Jenna Funk, clinical assistant professor and beef cattle veterinarian at West Texas A&M University’s Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach (VERO) program, says the virus can spread from birds to cattle through any fluid from affected birds. Respiratory secretions, feces and feathers in the feed can spread it. Birds are often a nuisance on farms because they get into feed and bedding; cattle come in contact with fluids from birds all the time. This is likely how they contract HPAI from wild birds that come to farms, dairies and feedlots.
Katie Redhage, veterinarian and manager of veterinary services at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center, does health care for animals at the Purina farm — horses, dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, poultry, deer, etc. Kevin Dill is director of dairy technical innovation at Purina’s research farm.
“Our understanding of this virus is still growing,” says Redhage. “The cattle industry is researching this rapidly evolving challenge, trying to determine how this virus is spreading. It’s still inconclusive whether it can be spread from cow to cow. We know that on-farm bird populations can contract HPAI from migratory birds and spread it.”
Some aspects of biosecurity on farms and feedlots involve trying to reduce cattle exposure to birds. Animal health should also be closely monitored.
“Any cattle you suspect might be sick should be isolated,” she says. “Signs of this disease in cattle include reduced feed intake, decreased milk production and possibly thickened/discolored milk, decreased rumination, fever and abnormal manure consistency. If you notice any signs of HPAI, isolate those animals and contact your veterinarian,” she says. Even though most sick animals recover in seven to 10 days, it is important to isolate them.
“If you notice any signs of HPAI, isolate those animals and contact your veterinarian.” — Katie Redhage
Biosecurity standards should already be in place for prevention and control of disease, says Redhage. “We should also protect ourselves with handwashing and proper personal protective equipment when handling cattle, fecal material, et cetera.”
Other aspects of biosecurity include feed preparation and traffic patterns within the operation, says Dill. “Make sure traffic patterns minimize potential spread as we travel around the farm. Waterers should be disinfected, not just cleaned. Birds like to perch by water and leave droppings in it. Paying attention to traffic patterns is not only important for feeding equipment but also for other farm equipment, to minimize spread of disease.”
Redhage says the traffic pattern should always be from youngest and healthiest to the other groups, so there’s no chance of taking disease into young and healthy groups. Any new animals should be quarantined for at least 30 days to make sure they are healthy before they are introduced to the farm.
Dill says the best way to keep immune defenses strong against HPAI and other diseases is through proper nutrition, which supports a stable rumen environment.
Dill says the best way to keep immune defenses strong against HPAI and other diseases is through proper nutrition, which supports a stable rumen environment. This includes keeping fresh feed in front of the animals, adequately mixed total mixed ration (TMR) and appropriate bunk space.
There are also some supplemental nutritional strategies that might be considered. Your nutritionist can recommend appropriate products or strategies for your situation.
“Your best resource for advice and help as it relates to biosecurity, animal health, animal movement and disease surveillance is your herd veterinarian,” says Redhage.
Birds carry many types of bacteria and viruses in their fecal matter and on their feet and move from farm to farm, increasing the spread of pathogens. Finding ways to reduce cattle exposure to wild birds, including their fecal matter, is vital to minimizing their effect on cattle health.
Cattle operations like dairies, feedlots, backgrounding programs, or cow-calf producers who use creep feeders for calves or supplemental concentrate feeds for cows often have birds coming in to eat the feed, so nearly all cattle producers need to be aware of this risk to cattle health.
Editor’s note: Heather Smith Thomas is a freelance writer and cattlewoman from Salmon, Idaho. [Lead photo by Heather Smith Thomas.]
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 17, No. 6-A
Topics: Health , Industry News , News
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
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