Animal Health

The Division of Animal Health maintains disease control programs to protect the health and well-being of livestock in New Jersey. The Division tracks information about emerging diseases around the world that may impact the Garden State, conducts epidemiological investigations of livestock diseases, operates an animal health diagnostic laboratory, manages two contagious equine metritis quarantine facilities for imported horses and supports an aggressive livestock welfare program. In addition, the Division is also involved with animal emergency preparedness and response, especially during disasters that affect the health, safety and welfare of animals and their owners.

Contacts

Over-The-Counter Antibiotics Availability Changes for Livestock
The FDA has announced changes in the availability of certain antibiotics for livestock. Click here to read more.

2025 NJ Fair and Show Animal Health Letter


Avian Influenza "Bird Flu"

HPAI Online Permitting

The NJDA now has an online process for HPAI permits.

Click here for the Online HPAI Permitting Instructions

Click here for the HPAI Permit Request Form

Click here to see a list of 2022-24 confirmations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in commercial and backyard flocks in the U.S.

Click here for a map of Avian Influenza cases in domestic poultry and wild birds that have been confirmed in North America.

POULTRY IMPORT REQUIREMENTS

Click here for Livestock and Poultry Import Requirements.

For States with HPAI, click here for Permitting Procedures.

Click here for the Pennsylvania HPAI address search map.

WHERE DOES AVIAN INFLUENZA COME FROM?

Avian influenza is a viral disease of poultry that can be of low pathogenicity (LPAI), causing mild disease with or without clinical signs, or of high pathogenicity (HPAI), causing severe disease and significant death loss. Wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl (ducks and geese) are passive carriers of the flu virus, meaning they can pass the disease along without becoming seriously ill. Avian Influenza viruses can enter the body by inhalation, ingestion or through other mucous membranes such as the conjunctiva. Feces, saliva and respiratory secretions from infected birds contain large amounts of the virus. Once introduced into a flock, the virus can spread within hours.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services conduct surveillance on commercial operations, on backyard and hobby flocks, in poultry auctions and in the live bird marketing system.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has an emergency response plan in place for the rapid control and elimination of the virus during outbreaks of both LPAI and HPAI. The plan includes provisions for limiting the spread of the disease through increased biosecurity including limiting the traffic to and from the infected premises, increased surveillance in designated quarantine areas, rapid turn-around time for submitted samples and depopulation and disposal for infected birds.

CLINICAL SIGNS OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

LPAI in chickens and turkeys resembles any other mild respiratory disease. With HPAI, birds may die suddenly without any signs of disease. Signs of HPAI may include:

Sudden increase in bird deaths
Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing and nasal discharge (runny nose)
Watery and/or green diarrhea
Lack of energy and poor appetite
Drop in egg production or soft- or thin-shelled misshapen eggs
Swelling around the eyes, neck and head
Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs

WHERE TO REPORT SICK BIRDS OR UNEXPLAINED DEATHS

All poultry owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, need to report sick or unexplained bird deaths to State/Federal officials immediately. For small flocks, this can include deaths of one bird per day for two days in a row.

For more information or to report sick or dead poultry contact:

New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health
609-671-6400 or state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov

-OR-

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services NJ Area Office
609-259-5260 or toll-free at 1-866-536-7593

Dead Wild Bird – What to do next

Call:

USDA Wildlife Services 908-735-5654
NJDA 609-671-6400
USDA Veterinary Services 609-259-5260

Click here for handling instructions for a dead wild bird.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter for Veterinarians

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter to Poultry Owners

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter to Live Bird Markets

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Letter to Poultry Distributors

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Disease Alert Informational Flyer

POULTRY GROWERS - PROTECT YOUR FLOCK WITH GOOD BIOSECURITY

The USDA is hosting a Defend the Flock Webinar on April 17 on how to "Safeguard Your Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm." Register here and read more here.

Avian influenza spreads from bird to bird, from manure, contaminated vehicles, equipment, egg flats and poultry transport crates. The virus can be transported through bird droppings on clothes or boots into poultry houses and bird pens. Help protect your birds by following these practices:

Minimize your flock's exposure to wild waterfowl
Keep poultry away from water which wild waterfowl use
Don’t use surface water (such as pond water) as a drinking source for your poultry
Always use dedicated foot wear or use disinfectant footbaths prior to entering bird pens
Clean up outside feed spills
Only allow essential workers and vehicles to enter your farm; clean and disinfect vehicle wheels before letting them drive onto and off your farm
Don’t lend or borrow equipment from other farms
Avoid visiting other poultry farms and auctions. If you do, change clothes and footwear before working with your own birds

Improving Biosecurity With Wildlife Management Practices

Preventing Access to Barns and Other Facilities

Protecting Food Resources

Reducing Water Access

For more information click here

BOVINE INFLUENZAS A INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES

2024 HPAI Letter to Dairy Owners

Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle FAQs

Secure Milk Supply

CFSPH Farm Biosecurity

USDA Influenza A Detections in Livestock

USDA VS Recommendations for Influenza A Virus in Livestock

National Milk Producers Federation Influenza A updates