Oregon health Q&A: What bird flu symptoms should we watch for in backyard chicken flock?

Questions are answered by experts at the Oregon Health Authority, other state agencies or community partners. Questions and answers are republished by permission.

Q: My husband and I have backyard chickens, and we harvest eggs for us and our neighbors. I’m concerned about bird flu and am wondering what kind of symptoms we should be watching for in our birds. – Cathy, Talent

A: Cathy, while the current rate of bird flu (aka highly pathogenic avian flu, or HPAI) in Oregon is low, it’s important for people like you with backyard chickens to quickly recognize HPAI symptoms in your flock, which include:

• Sudden death with no prior signs of illness.

• Lack of energy and appetite, often appearing depressed with ruffled feathers.

• Combs and wattles often swollen and can turn purple/blue.

• Swelling around the eyes, neck, and legs or feet.

• Legs showing pin-point hemorrhages (which look like red or purple pimples) and/or discolored purple/blue splotches.

• Egg production drops or stops, may have soft-shelled or misshaped eggs.

• Stumbling or falling down.

• Difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing or diarrhea.

If you identify any of these symptoms among your backyard flock, do not touch the bird(s). Immediately call the Oregon State Veterinarian at 503-986-4711, or email AnimalHealth@oda.oregon.gov. For wild birds, people should call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 866-968-2600.

You can follow the latest state data on HPAI cases in animals on Oregon Department of Agriculture’s website here.

Q: I’m 89 years old and I never had the measles. Do I need to get vaccinated? How urgent is this? I’ve had two vaccinations for COVID using the latest vaccine. My last was in October 2024. Should I get another? – Robert, Portland

A: Regarding measles, at your age you most certainly had the measles when you were a child, so you are presumed immune and do not need to get vaccinated. Anyone born before 1957, in fact, is presumed to be immune for this reason, and does not need to get vaccinated. Check out our blog - Measles: what you should know.

Regarding COVID-19, people ages 65 and older should get two doses of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. That said, you mentioned you already received a second dose in October 2024, which is puzzling.

The latest vaccine was released in September 2024, and the recommendation for the second dose had not yet been authorized in October 2024. The unlikely (but possible) explanation would be if 1) the vaccine you received last fall was the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, and 2) you had never before been vaccinated against COVID. In that case, the recommendation is two Novavax shots spaced 3-8 weeks apart, plus a third dose (of any COVID vaccine) six months later; and so yes, you would now be due for that third dose.

See all COVID-19 vaccine recommendations here.

You might check with Oregon’s immunization registry (ALERT IIS) to confirm what vaccine you received and when. Call 800-980-9431 or email alertiis@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

If you have questions about health topics for the Oregon Health Authority, submit your question here. Although the agency is unable to answer every question, it will try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that OHA is unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.