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How Long Does the Process Take? 

Ideally, this entire process could be completed in as soon as 60–120 days. However, the timeframe varies depending 

on many things (for example, flock size, depopulation and disposal methods used, test results, farm’s location). 

We’re committed to restoring production as fast as we can while also protecting poultry health. 

Quarantine

USDA and State personnel 

come to your farm. We 

assign you a case manager, 

who will be your main point 

of contact onsite, answer 

your questions, and guide 

you through the needed 

paperwork. We will also 

place your operation under 

quarantine, meaning only 

authorized workers are 

allowed in and out, and 

movement restrictions for 

poultry, poultry products, 

and equipment go into 

effect. We contact 

neighboring poultry farms 

and start testing their birds 

to see if they’ve been 

affected, too. 

Detect

You see unusual 

signs of illness or 

sudden deaths in 

your flock. You 

can report it to your 

private veterinarian 

or a State or 

USDA veterinarian. 

Samples are taken 

and tested. You 

find out your flock 

is positive for HPAI. 

Appraise 

We work with you to 

create a flock 

inventory. This lists 

how many birds you 

have, what species 

they are, their age, 

and other key 

details. USDA will 

compensate for 

birds that must be 

destroyed using 

species-specific 

calculators.

Manage 

Disposal

USDA will help you 

dispose of the dead birds 

safely. Disposal methods 

include composting, 

burial, incineration, 

rendering, or landfilling. 

The options you’ll have 

depend on several things: 

what type of farm you 

have, the specific 

conditions there, State 

and local laws, and what 

you prefer. 

Compensate

Affected producers and 

growers must certify that 

a biosecurity plan was 

in place prior to an HPAI 

detection. Split 

payments can be 

provided between the 

owner and contract 

grower. You receive 

your first indemnity 

payment early on in the 

response process. We 

also pay you a standard 

amount for virus 

elimination activities 

(cleanup work). 

Eliminate 

Virus

The next step is to 

wipe out all traces of 

the virus at your 

property. To kill the 

virus, thoroughly 

clean and disinfect 

the barn, equipment, 

and all affected areas 

of your farm. You can 

do this work yourself 

or hire contractors to 

handle it. 

Test 

As soon as you’re 

ready, let your 

case manager know 

you’re finished with 

cleanup. Your site 

must then stay empty 

for at least 21 days. 

During this time, we'll 

return to collect and 

test environmental 

samples. We need to 

confirm that your 

property is completely 

virus-free.

Restock

Once USDA and the 

State both approve, 

you can restock your 

facilities and start 

production again. 

State officials will 

release your farm 

from quarantine after 

all required testing 

and waiting periods 

are done. 

Maintain 

Biosecurity 

After restocking, you’ll 

need to continue 

maintaining the highest 

biosecurity standards 

to keep the virus from 

coming back. For 

biosecurity tips, go to 

www.aphis.usda.gov/-

publications and 

download the factsheet 

“Prevent Avian 

Influenza at Your 

Farm.”

Depopulate

Infected flocks are 

depopulated as quickly 

as possible—ideally 

within 24 hours of the 

first HPAI detection—

to get rid of the virus. 

Questions?

Talk with your case manager or the State or Federal 

officials responding to the disease event in your area. 

For general information and contacts, visit:

www.usda.gov/avian_influenza.html 

www.aphis.usda.gov/fadprep

www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/

defendtheflock 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • APHIS 91-85-005 • Issued March 2017

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

A Guide To Help You Understand the Response Process