HPAI Online Permitting Click here for the Online HPAI Permitting Instructions Click here to see a list of 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.
The NJDA now has an online process for HPAI permits.
Click here for the HPAI Permit Request Form
WHERE DOES AVIAN INFLUENZA COME FROM?
CLINICAL SIGNS OF AVIAN INFLUENZA
WHERE TO REPORT SICK BIRDS OR UNEXPLAINED DEATHS
POULTRY GROWERS - PROTECT YOUR FLOCK WITH GOOD BIOSECURITY
BOVINE INFLUENZAS A INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
VIDEO LINKS
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
Report sick poultry or unexplained poultry deaths (online form)
-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
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
For more information click here
Improving Biosecurity With Wildlife Management Practices
Preventing Access to Barns and Other Facilities
BOVINE INFLUENZAS A INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
2024 HPAI Letter to Dairy Owners
Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle FAQs
USDA Influenza A Detections in Livestock
USDA VS Recommendations for Influenza A Virus in Livestock
National Milk Producers Federation Influenza A updates
Dairy Biosecurity Recommendations for HPAI
HPAI FAQs Concerning Dairy Herds
USDA VS Recommendations for HPAI in Livestock for Workers
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Manure Hauling Considerations From States That Have A Confirmed Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza
USDA Response Plan - The Red Book
VIDEO LINKS
All these, and more, can be found at the Defend the Flock Resource Center
Biosecurity Practices to Protect Your Poultry
Clean and Disinfect Equipment and Vehicles
Proper Cleaning Procedures Before and After Handling Birds
Establish Perimeters and Boundaries
Don’t Borrow Disease from Your Neighbor