When H5N1 infects domesticated birds such chickens, ducks, and turkeys, it causes them to become very sick and, often, to die.

Infected birds shed the influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.  Domesticated birds can be infected with the virus that causes bird flu through direct contact with infected birds, or through contact with surfaces, food, or water that are contaminated with the H5N1 virus.

There are several safeguards in place in the United States to protect the health of chickens on farms and to ensure the quality of poultry and eggs purchased by consumers.

In commercial poultry and egg production systems, birds are housed indoors to prevent contact with infected wild birds that might spread diseases to chickens.  There is ongoing surveillance of flocks to test birds that show signs of respiratory disease or unexpected mortality.

At this time, there have been no domesticated birds in the United States to test positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.

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