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Montana - Avian flu in poultry 2023-2026

Shiloh

Shiloh

Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://nbcmontana.com/newsletter-daily/avian-flu-detected-in-rosebud-co-flock

Avian flu detected in Rosebud Co. flock
by NBC Montana StaffMon, April 17th 2023, 8:47 PM EDT

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Livestock detected avian influenza in a backyard poultry flock in Rosebud County last Friday.

Officials confirmed the highly pathogenic avian influenza, making this the 17th affected flock in the state of Montana linked to the outbreak of the disease in 2022.

The Montana Department of Livestock released the following information:

On, Friday April 14, 2023, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Rosebud County backyard poultry flock. This is the 17th HPAI affected flock in the state of Montana linked to the 2022 outbreak of HPAI infections in the United States. The disease was last confirmed in poultry in the state in January...
 
Source: https://www.montanarightnow.com/new...cle_7fc51b7a-69f8-11ee-a632-dff0dc485648.html

Avian flu confirmed in Glacier County
Oct 13, 2023 Updated 2 hrs ago


​As Fall's bird migration is underway, the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) confirms the avian flu is now in Glacier County in a chicken flock. This is now the 18th affected flock found in the state of Montana linked to an ongoing national outbreak which started in early 2022.

The department is also waiting for confirmation from a backyard flock in Flathead County as well....
 
Source: http://www.charkoosta.com/news/avia...cle_8316a754-6e07-11ee-b489-978ee31b42da.html


Avian Influenza Confirmed in Glacier County
From Montana Department of Livestock 23 hrs ago


HELENA — On Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Glacier County poultry flock. This is Montana’s 18th affected flock linked to the ongoing national HPAI outbreak which began in early 2022. The Department is also awaiting confirmation of a backyard flock in Flathead County. The last confirmed HPAI infection in Montana was April 2023...


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hat tip @0bFuSc8
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Avian Influenza Confirmed in Flathead County

Department of Livestock
  • October 28 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 24, 2024


CONTACT:
Dr. Tahnee Szymanski, MT Dept. of Livestock, (406) 444-0782, tszymanski@mt.gov
Dillon Tabish, Montana FWP, (406) 751-4564, Dillon.Tabish@mt.gov



Avian Influenza Confirmed in Flathead County

Helena, Mont. – On Thursday, October 24, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Flathead County backyard flock. This is Montana’s 25[SUP]th[/SUP] detection linked to the ongoing national HPAI outbreak which began in early 2022. The last confirmed HPAI infection in Montana was January 2024.

HPAI is spread from migratory waterfowl and infections in domestic poultry follow the spring and fall migrations. Poultry producers should be practicing good biosecurity to minimize the risk of disease spread, including not keeping bird feeders near domestic poultry. Poultry may become infected through direct contact with infected wild birds, or through contact with contaminated objects, equipment, or the environment. Sick and dead waterfowl were present on wetlands adjacent to the Flathead County property.

“With the fall migration of waterfowl underway and the detection of HPAI in Montana and other Pacific Northwest States, the risk of disease to domestic poultry has returned despite several months without a detection,” said Tahnee Szymanski, State Veterinarian.

Poultry producers should report sudden onset of illness or high death loss in domestic poultry to their local veterinarian or MDOL at (406/444-2976). If you find sick or dead wild birds that have died from unknown causes, please contact the FWP regional office in Kalispell at 406-752-5501 or call the FWP wildlife veterinarian (406-577-7880).

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high mortality rates in domestic flocks. Sick birds can exhibit numerous signs such as swollen eyes, discolored comb and legs, or a significant drop in egg production or water and feed consumption. However, the most consistent presentation has been sudden death.

While HPAI is considered a potentially zoonotic disease and human cases have been reported nationally, the CDC continues to consider the public health risk from the virus to be low. Public health recommends wearing gloves when handling sick or dead poultry and washing hands thoroughly after contact with birds.

Bird hunters should follow simple precautions when processing or handling wild game, including
  • Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
  • Wear disposable latex or rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning game.
  • Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.
  • Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach—one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water.
  • Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.
  • Cook game meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
HPAI has also been detected in dairy herds in multiple states. The strain of virus circulating in dairy cattle is distinct from the strain circulating in wild birds. The Flathead County premises is being attributed to transmission from wild birds, but additional testing is needed to confirm this.

HPAI is not a food safety concern. Existing safeguards to keep food safe and wholesome are sufficient to protect people, and the food supply in the United States is one of the safest in the world. As a reminder, the US Department of Agriculture recommends cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information on the Montana Department of Livestock, visit www.liv.mt.gov.



For more information on biosecurity, please visit the USDA website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock/resources

For more information on national cases of HPAI, please visit the USDA website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections

For information on human health concerns and HPAI, please visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/hpai-interim-recommendations.html

For more information on avian influenza in wild birds, please visit the FWP website at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/diseases/avian-influenza​

https://news.mt.gov/Department-of-L...n-Flathead-County#:~:text=– On Thursday, Octo ber%2024%2C,which%20began%20in%20early%202022
 
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Flathead County, Montana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flathead_County,_Montana

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Confirmations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Commercial and Backyard Flocks
...
HPAI 2022/2023 Confirmed Detections
as of November 5, 2024
Last reported detection Saturday, November 2, 2024
Data updated weekdays by12 pm Eastern
...
Confirmed State County Name Production Control Area Released Birds Affected

01-Nov-24 Montana Flathead WOAH Non-Poultry NA 40
...
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks
 
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image.png
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Missoula County, Montana
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missoula_County,_Montana
-----------------------------
Confirmations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Commercial and Backyard Flocks
...
HPAI 2022/2023 Confirmed Detections
as of November 13, 2024
Last reported detection Tuesday, November 12, 2024
...
Confirmed State County Name Production Control Area Released Birds Affected

12-Nov-24 Montana Missoula WOAH Poultry Active 280

​https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks
 
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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turah,_Montana
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Montana poultry flock diagnosed with avian flu, euthanized

by NBC Montana StaffFri, November 22nd 2024 at 7:03 PM
Updated Fri, November 22nd 2024 at 10:11 PM
...
Christy Cummings says state veterinarians made the diagnosis earlier this month following the death of multiple chickens in the flock.

She lives 1 mile from the Turah exit and tells others within 6 miles to keep an eye on their flocks.
...
"At 2 p.m. we started culling, gassing my flock, and then we finished at 6:30 p.m., it was devastating. I picked up every single one of my chickens and handed them off to be gassed, so I did all the catching and saying my goodbyes," Cummings told NBC Montana.
...
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-womans-chicken-flock-diagnosed-with-avian-flu
 
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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

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Avian Influenza Confirmed in Domestic Poultry in North Central Montana

Department of Livestock
  • September 12 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 12, 2025

CONTACT:

Dr. Brenee Peterson, MT Dept. of Livestock, (406) 444-2939, brenee.peterson@mt.gov

Dr. Tahnee Szymanski, MT Dept. of Livestock, (406) 444-2976, tszymanski@mt.gov


Avian Influenza Confirmed in Domestic Poultry on North Central Montana

Helena, Mont. - On Wednesday, September 10, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in north central Montana, the state's first detection in domestic poultry this fall. Montana has confirmed 31 affected flocks linked to the ongoing national outbreak which began in 2022. The most recent previous detection was in Gallatin County in March.

Migratory waterfowl are the primary source of the virus and infections in domestic poultry are often associated with spring and fall migrations. Domestic poultry may become infected through direct contact with infected wild birds, or through contact with contaminated objects, equipment, or the environment. MDOL recommends poultry owners house birds indoors to the extent possible and use good biosecurity practices to minimize disease risk through the fall migration. Premises with multiple species should also consider precautions to prevent diseases moving between species in addition to limiting contact with wild birds.

HPAI is a potentially zoonotic disease with 70 human cases reported nationally. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to consider the risk to the general population from this virus to be low, however, the risk is moderate to high for individuals in contact with potentially infected animals or contaminated environments. Public health officials recommend wearing gloves when handling sick or dead birds and washing hands thoroughly after contact with poultry.

HPAI has also been confirmed in multiple other species associated with this outbreak, most notably in dairy cattle. MDOL has worked closely with Montana's dairy industry to conduct monthly surveillance since December of 2024 with no detections of HPAI in milk samples.

"With the increased risk to people working around infected animals and viral spread to other species, we cannot stress enough the importance of preventive measures," said Tahnee Szymanski, State Veterinarian. "The next critical piece is rapid reporting of sick and dead animals to limit disease spread."

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high death loss in domestic flocks. Sick birds can exhibit numerous signs such as swollen eyes, discolored comb and legs, or a significant drop in egg production or water and feed consumption. However, clinical signs are rarely reported with poultry owners primarily noting the sudden death of multiple birds within a flock.

HPAI is not a food safety concern. Existing safeguards to keep food, safe and wholesome, including the pasteurization of milk, are sufficient to protect people, and the food supply in the United States is one of the safest in the world. As a reminder, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Department encourages all poultry producers to immediately report sudden onset of illness or high death loss in domestic poultry to their veterinarian or MDOL at (406/444-2976). If you find sick or dead wild birds that have died from unknown causes, please contact your local Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Warden, Biologist or Regional office, or call the FWP wildlife veterinarian (406/577-7880). Additionally, dairy producers who observe a sudden decrease in milk production, decreased appetite, fever, respiratory disease or loose feces that cannot be otherwise explained are encouraged to report to their veterinarian or MDOL. Raw milk from sick cows should not be consumed.

The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals.

For more information, visit www.liv.mt.gov<http://www.liv.mt.gov>.

###
...

https://news.mt.gov/Department-of-L...tections-Avian-Influenza-Confirmed-in-Montana
 
Last edited:
September 16, 2025
Montana Department of Agriculture
Avian Influenza Confirmed in Domestic Poultry on North Central Montana

​

On Wednesday, September 10, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in north central Montana, the state’s first detection in domestic poultry this fall. Montana has confirmed 31 affected flocks linked to the ongoing national outbreak which began in 2022. The most recent previous detection was in Gallatin County in March.

Migratory waterfowl are the primary source of the virus and infections in domestic poultry are often associated with spring and fall migrations. Domestic poultry may become infected through direct contact with infected wild birds, or through contact with contaminated objects, equipment, or the environment. MDOL recommends poultry owners house birds indoors to the extent possible and use good biosecurity practices to minimize disease risk through the fall migration. Premises with multiple species should also consider precautions to prevent diseases moving between species in addition to limiting contact with wild birds.

HPAI is a potentially zoonotic disease with 70 human cases reported nationally. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to consider the risk to the general population from this virus to be low, however, the risk is moderate to high for individuals in contact with potentially infected animals or contaminated environments. Public health officials recommend wearing gloves when handling sick or dead birds and washing hands thoroughly after contact with poultry.

HPAI has also been confirmed in multiple other species associated with this outbreak, most notably in dairy cattle. MDOL has worked closely with Montana’s dairy industry to conduct monthly surveillance since December of 2024 with no detections of HPAI in milk samples.

“With the increased risk to people working around infected animals and viral spread to other species, we cannot stress enough the importance of preventive measures,” said Tahnee Szymanski, State Veterinarian. “The next critical piece is rapid reporting of sick and dead animals to limit disease spread.”

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high death loss in domestic flocks. Sick birds can exhibit numerous signs such as swollen eyes, discolored comb and legs, or a significant drop in egg production or water and feed consumption. However, clinical signs are rarely reported with poultry owners primarily noting the sudden death of multiple birds within a flock.


HPAI is not a food safety concern. Existing safeguards to keep food, safe and wholesome, including the pasteurization of milk, are sufficient to protect people, and the food supply in the United States is one of the safest in the world. As a reminder, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Department encourages all poultry producers to immediately report sudden onset of illness or high death loss in domestic poultry to their veterinarian or MDOL at (406/444-2976). If you find sick or dead wild birds that have died from unknown causes, please contact your local Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Warden, Biologist or Regional office, or call the FWP wildlife veterinarian (406/577-7880). Additionally, dairy producers who observe a sudden decrease in milk production, decreased appetite, fever, respiratory disease or loose feces that cannot be otherwise explained are encouraged to report to their veterinarian or MDOL. Raw milk from sick cows should not be consumed.

The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information, visit www.liv.mt.gov.

https://www.northernag.net/avian-influenza-confirmed-in-domestic-poultry-on-north-central-montana/
​
 
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