continued

Spring 2024

Q&A with Dr. Melissa Yates

We sat down with 

poultry epidemiologist 

and USDA Veterinary 

Medical Officer Dr. 

Melissa Yates to 

get the scoop on 

biosecurity best 

practices for backyard 

bird owners. 

Dr. Yates, can you tell us about your poultry background?

During	veterinary	school	I	participated	in	poultry	rotations	

and	externships	in	Scotland	and	California,	learning	about	

commercial	poultry	operations	and	avian	health.	

After	graduating	veterinary	school,	my	first	job	was	as	the	

National	Poultry	Improvement	Plan	(NPIP)	coordinator	and	

Assistant	State	Veterinarian	for	the	state	of	Arkansas.	I	also	

briefly	worked	for	the	California	Department	of	Food	and	

Agriculture	(CDFA)	during	the	2018	-	2020	virulent	Newcastle	

disease	outbreak,	where	I	evaluated	biosecurity	risks	and	

practices	on	commercial	and	backyard	poultry	premises.

Why now? Why is biosecurity so 

important for bird owners?

Although	there	is	always	a	risk	of	exposure	to	infectious	

disease	agents	when	flocks	have	outdoor	access,	right	

now	there	is	the	added	risk	of	Highly	Pathogenic	Avian	

Influenza	(HPAI).	This	deadly	disease	is	spread	by	wild	bird	

populations,	especially	waterfowl,	and	the	US	is	currently	

experiencing	the	largest	HPAI	outbreak	in	our	history.	

Diseases to Defend Against

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

	 These	virus	strains	are	extremely	infectious,	

often	fatal	to	domestic	poultry,	and	can	

spread	rapidly	from	flock	to	flock.

Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI)

	 These	virus	strains	occur	naturally	in	wild	

migratory	waterfowl	and	shorebirds	without	

causing	illness.		LPAI	can	infect	domestic	

poultry,	with	little	or	no	signs	of	illness.

Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND)

	 This	is	a	contagious	and	fatal	viral	disease	

that	affects	the	respiratory,	nervous,	and	

digestive	systems	of	birds	and	poultry.

Salmonella

	 This	bacteria	can	spread	from	infected	

poultry	to	people	who	eat	raw	or	

undercooked	poultry	meat	or	eggs.

Report Sick Birds If you see signs of illness, take action right away!

Veterinarian

Cooperative Extension Office

State Veterinarian/Animal or Poultry Diagnostic Lab

USDA 866.536.7593
Q&A with Dr. Melissa Yates

 continued

What are some very basic, low-cost measures 

anyone can take to protect their poultry?

Do	not	let	your	birds	comingle	with	wild	

birds	–	use	inexpensive	netting	or	chicken	

wire	to	enclose	outdoor	ranging	areas.

Keep	food	and	water	dispensers	protected	

from	wild	birds	and	rodents,	and	regularly	

wash	and	sanitize	the	containers.	

Never	use	untreated	surface	pond	water	as	

drinking	or	cleaning	water	for	your	birds.	

Wash	your	hands	and/or	use	hand	sanitizer	

when	entering	or	exiting	poultry	areas.

Use	dedicated	footwear	and	clothing	when	working	

in	poultry	areas	–	do	not	wear	this	clothing	on	

other	areas	of	the	farm	or	visiting	the	feed	store.

Another	simple	biosecurity	practice	is	to	prevent	visitors,	

especially	those	who	own	poultry,	from	entering	your	poultry	

areas.	Birds	that	appear	healthy	can	still	carry	poultry	

diseases,	and	oblivious	visitors	can	carry	pathogens	on	

their	clothing	or	footwear	that	ultimately	infect	your	flock.	

Roughly 10.6 million U.S.	households		

own	backyard	chickens

Source: 2021-2022 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey

Beyond the basics, what additional biosecurity 

measures should people consider?

Poultry	owners	can	level	up	their	defenses	by	writing	a	

biosecurity	plan	that	establishes	simple	protocols	for	anyone	

visiting	or	caring	for	their	birds.	It’s	very	easy	if	you	download	

one	of	our	free	biosecurity plan templates.	Beyond	that:	

Install	fencing	and	build	fully	enclosed	poultry	hutches	and	

outdoor	areas	with	fenced	or	netted	roofs	and	walls	to	help	

prevent	wild	birds	from	making	contact	with	your	flock.	

Institute	a	pest	control	program	using	bait	stations	or	

traps	to	help	prevent	rodents	from	introducing	diseases.

Install	a	gate	and	/	or	biosecurity	signs	at	your	property’s	

entrance	to	discourage	unintended	visitors.

Do you have any other advice for folks 

hoping to keep their birds safe?

I	advise	that	backyard	bird	owners	purchase	new	poultry	

stock	as	day-old	chicks	or	hatching	eggs	from	NPIPapproved	hatcheries	and	breeders		–	they	comply	with	

federal	regulations	regarding	participation	in	poultry	

disease	programs.	Additionally,	many	poultry	diseases	are	

transmitted	from	bird	to	bird,	so	purchasing	new	poultry	as	

day-old	chicks	or	hatching	eggs	lessens	the	risk	that	they	

have	already	been	exposed	to	or	infected	by	a	disease.

MORE SCOOP FOR 

YOUR COOP

On	March 14,	Dr.	Yates	

will	present	an	exclusive	

webinar,	“Biosecurity	on	a	

Budget:	Pro	Tips	to	Protect	

Your	Poultry.”	Tune	in	at	2	p.m.	

EDT	to	learn	about	low-cost,	

accessible	biosecurity	solutions	

you	can	implement	quickly	and	

easily	to	defend	your	flock.	

LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ›››

For	more	information	about	how	to	keep	your	flocks	healthy,	follow	Defend the Flock	on	

Facebook	and	Twitter	and	visit	www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock.

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