Avian Health

Avian influenza, or "bird flu," is a contagious viral disease of domestic and wild birds. It's a major threat to the poultry industry, animal health, trade, and the economy worldwide.

Caused by influenza type A viruses, the disease varies in severity depending on the strain and species affected. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains are deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days. Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) strains typically cause few or no signs of illness. They occur naturally in wild birds around the world. However, some LPAI strains can become highly pathogenic in poultry.

If you have birds that are very sick with a lot of them dying, please contact our office as soon as possible at (701)328-2655.

When highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strikes a farm, the result is devastating. Biosecurity is the key to protecting your flock - and your investment - against this disease.

Related Resources

Checklist for Cleaning and Disinfecting Poultry Enclosures
Protect Your Poultry from Avian Influenza
Biosecurity Assessments
Defend the Flock
Prevent Avian Influenza at Your Farm: Improve Your Biosecurity with Simple Wildlife Management Practices
Report Sick Birds

Definition of Exhibition Poultry from CFR 9: 145 subpart E

Exhibition Poultry. Domesticated fowl which are bred for the combined purposes of meat or egg production and competitive showing.

CRF 9: 145.53(3)(vii)

(vii) All poultry, including exhibition, exotic, and game birds, but excluding waterfowl, going to public exhibition shall come from U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks, or have had a negative pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days of going to public exhibition.

What regulations are there for Pullorum testing of show / exhibition birds for North Dakota shows?

• All poultry, regardless of age, going to shows and/or public exhibit, excluding doves and pigeons must have a safe leg or wing band, and:
  • Come from an NPIP certified Salmonella pullorum- Salmonella typhoid (PT clean) clean flock.  This means the flock the bird currently resides in is NPIP certified, or the bird was purchased from an NPIP certified flock in the current year and has not comingled with non-tested, non-NPIP birds
    OR
  • Have had a negative Pullorum test within 90 days prior to going to a show/exhibition

Related Resources

SFN 60329     Poultry Exhibition Statement of Origin
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP)

In North Dakota, non-domestic avian species are classified as Category 1 or Category 2 Non-Traditional Livestock, or NTL. Category 1 species include pigeons, Guinea fowl, peafowl, all pheasants, chukars, and all quail, as well as turkeys, geese, and ducks which are morphologically distinguishable from wild turkeys, geese, and ducks.  Category 2 species include upland game birds which are not included in category 1, such as Hungarian partridge and wild turkeys, and all waterfowl which are not morphologically distinct from wild species.  This includes ducks such as Muscovy and Mallard.

In most cases, possession of protected avian species, whether Category 1 or Category 2, requires a Permit to Possess, Propagate, or Domesticate (PPD) protected species.  This permit is issued through the Animal Health Division, but under the authority of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.  A Non-Traditional Livestock License is also required for Category 2 species.

You need to obtain a PPD permit and/or an NTL license if you:

a) sell live birds OR

b) purchase birds from someone not holding a valid North Dakota PPD permit including out-of-state birds OR

c) hold birds longer than 90 days.

If you do not require a PPD permit or NTL license, you must receive a copy of a disposal permit from the seller. In addition to requiring a PPD permit and/or NTL license, all birds coming from out of state must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)* and permit number issued from our office prior to importation. Any person releasing birds to be taken by clients that pay a fee must be licensed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDG&F) as a shooting preserve.

Wild turkeys are not to be released unless special permission has been obtained from the NDG&F.

NTL license and/or PPD renewal requires a complete inventory. You must also submit copies of all disposal permits or manifests for birds that were sold. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Please call the North Dakota Board of Animal Health at (701) 328-2655 for the correct forms for your birds.

All birds imported into North Dakota need an importation permit. Poultry importers can apply at no cost for an annual importation permit using the following form.

Related Resources

SFN 62327     Application to Import Poultry and Hatching Eggs 

The National Poultry Improvement Plan was established in the early 1930's to provide a cooperative industry, state, and federal program through which new diagnostic technology can be effectively applied to the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country.

The NPIP was initiated to help diminish the spread of Pullorum Disease, caused by Salmonella Pullorum which was rampant in the poultry industry and could cause upwards of 80% mortality in baby poultry. The program was later extended to include testing and monitoring for other poultry diseases. The program currently offers testing and monitoring for:

• Salmonella Pullorum (Causative agent of Pullorum disease)
• Salmonella Gallinarum (Causative agent of Fowl Typhoid)
• Mycoplasma gallisepticum
• Mycoplasma synoviae
• Mycoplasma meleagridis (for turkeys)
• Avian Influenza

Related Resources

SFN 54128     North Dakota National Poultry Improvement Plan Application for Participation

Exotic Newcastle Disease

To address concerns related to highly pathogenic avian influenza and the interstate movement of birds the ND Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has implemented a registration requirement for all Poultry Dealers in the state of North Dakota.  All retail stores selling chicks are considered Poultry Dealers.  If any purchasers are from out-of-state, the state veterinarian’s office will assist stores in staying in compliance with federal movement requirements.

Related Resources

SFN 62608     Poultry Dealer Customer List
SFN 54218     ND National Poultry Improvement Plan Application for Participation
SFN 62614     Poultry Dealer Permit Application

 “Bacillary white diarrhea” was the name first used to describe the severe diarrhea and death loss in baby chickens early in 1899.  It was found to be passed from the hen through the egg to the baby chick when it hatched.

There are two types of Salmonella that have caused a lot of death loss in baby chicks.  The types are Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella typhoid. Both types are devasting to chickens but for the most part don’t affect humans. 

A test was developed in the 1913 to identify poultry that were carriers of S. pullorum and S. typhoid.  That same bird side test is still utilized today for screening poultry.

The National Poultry Improvement Plan was established by Congress in 1935 to make a uniform standard of testing in all the states to try to control the spread of S. pullorum and typhoid.  The program has been very successful.

Related Resources

Authorized Poultry Testing Agent Public List 2024
SFN 62461      Registration for Poultry Testing Agent Training