A confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Jessamine County is raising alarms across the state, and agriculture officials are urging both backyard chicken owners and commercial poultry farmers in western Kentucky to step up protections for their flocks.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture said the virus was verified on December 15 after samples from the flock tested positive at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Affected birds have been quarantined and euthanized, and movement restrictions are in place within a 10‑kilometer surveillance zone.
“Protecting the health of livestock and poultry in the Commonwealth is a top priority,” said Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell. “We are working closely with federal and state partners to contain this incident.”
Officials said whether you keep a handful of hens in the backyard or manage thousands of broilers under contract, the threat from HPAI is real.
“This is extremely serious,” said Clint Hardy, Daviess County Extension Agent for Agriculture. “A high‑path outbreak in a commercial barn means total depopulation and multi‑mile quarantines — it’s financially devastating. Backyard flocks may not have that scale, but without strong biosecurity, they can be just as vulnerable.”
Hardy noted the virus spreads primarily through contact with wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl. Poultry owners should be vigilant, noting unusual behavior or unexpected deaths immediately.
HPAI has been detected in wild birds before in the region. In early 2024, two deceased snow geese found in Henderson County tested positive for the virus. University of Kentucky animal science specialists used that detection as a call to action for flock owners statewide, urging increased vigilance and stricter biosecurity protocols. That background was reported in a January 2024 article by Jordan Strickler for the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Officials said bird owners should be on the lookout for signs that include:
- Sudden death or severe weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Drop in egg production
- Respiratory signs such as coughing or sneezing
- Swelling of the head, neck, or eyes
- Twisting of the head or neck
Because infected birds can show signs only days before dying, early detection is critical. Experts urge poultry owners to follow USDA’s “FLU” guidelines:
- Flock observation — Check daily for changes in behavior or health.
- Limit traffic — Restrict visitors, vehicles, and equipment that could introduce disease.
- Unwanted critters — Keep wild birds, rodents, and pets away from your flock.
Backyard chickens, which often have easier access to the outdoors, may be especially at risk, Hardy said. Commercial farms typically have controlled access and strict protocols, but even they cannot be complacent.
With waterfowl still migrating through the region, hunters should also practice caution. Avoid handling sick or dead wild birds, wear protective gloves when processing game, and cook all meat to at least 165 degrees.
If you see illness or unexplained deaths in your flock, contact a local veterinarian or the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at 502-573‑0282 or online at kyagr.com/statevet. More biosecurity resources are available at healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
