PARKERSBURG — A case of avian bird flu has been confirmed in a backyard flock in Jackson County, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture announced.

The confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as HPAI, avian influenza or bird flu, is only the third detection of the disease in domestic birds in West Virginia since 2022 when the global outbreak began, the department said.

The backyard flock of chickens is not a commercial operation and is only used by the owner, Amber Goff, West Virginia University extension agent in Jackson County. Nonetheless, the concern is the prevention of bird flu infecting other flocks, she said.

“There’s always concern of the spread,” Goff said.

The bird flu is spread among undomesticated aquatic birds and can also infect poultry, other birds and other animals such as dairy cattle and can devastate a flock within hours. Human infection is rare and no evidence exists of human transmission to other humans in the United States, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

It is an airborne virus that spreads through respiratory secretions, manure and contaminated surfaces and wild migratory waterfowl are natural carriers, putting outdoor and backyard flocks at increased risk, the Agriculture Department said.

The Jackson County diagnosis was made after a field investigation, sample collection and testing at Agriculture Department’s animal health lab in Moorefield. The affected premises have been quarantined to protect nearby flocks and the safety of the commercial food supply, the department said.

Industry and state health officials have been notified and will continue to follow response protocols.

“Yes, we do anticipate additional avian influenza detections,” said Professor Joe Moritz of the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, an expert on the issue. “The virus is primarily carried by migratory waterfowl, so as migrations continue, the risk to backyard and commercial poultry flocks remains high.”

Identifying cases also is positive as it reflects strong surveillance in West Virginia and shows that poultry morbidity is being properly reported, Moritz said. Detections allow the implementation of management strategies to reduce disease transmission, he said.

“It’s difficult to predict when the threat will subside,” Moritz said. “Spring and fall migration periods pose the highest risk due to increased wild bird movement, but HPAI remains a persistent concern and virus shedding can occur year-round.”

Commercial producers in West Virginia have maintained strong biosecurity practices, in part by lessons learned during the 2002 outbreak, Moritz said.

Moritz also advises for backyard producers to:

¯ Minimize contact between birds and wild waterfowl.

¯ Use dedicated footwear when caring for poultry.

¯ Maintain footbaths and keep birds indoors during peak migration when possible.

¯ Report sick birds to 1-866-536-7593.

Commercial producers in West Virginia consistently follow strict biosecurity protocols to reduce the incidence of the disease and other infectious diseases, Moritz said.

“As we enter the winter migration season, this case should serve as a reminder that backyard flocks are especially vulnerable when wild birds are on the move,” Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt said. “We urge all poultry owners, large and small, to take extra precautions.”

Keeping birds enclosed, limiting visitors and preventing contact with wild waterfowl can make a big difference in stopping the virus’ spread, he said.