DEQ collaborates with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and the Virginia Poultry Disease Task Force to advance the knowledge and resources available for combating outbreaks of Avian Influenza (AI) or Avian Flu in Virginia. Additionally, DEQ continues to work closely with staff in the Office of Veterinary Services within the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to assist poultry growers with appropriate carcass disposal practices when related to AI and other diseases.

The 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak was the largest animal health emergency in U.S. history. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 235 detections (214 commercial facilities and 21 backyard flocks) affecting approximately 50 million birds in 23 states.

Over the last 6 months, new H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks have occurred in over 40 countries. Most of these outbreaks have occurred in Europe and Asia where they have resulted in the death of millions of domestic poultry. In January 2022, H5N1 was first identified in the United States in hunter-harvested waterfowl in North and South Carolina. On January 27, 2022, Virginia identified two findings of H5 HPAI in wild birds. State and Federal agencies have redoubled their planning efforts and are encouraging all poultry farmers to enhance their biosecurity.

Proper carcass management is vital for managing nutrients and controlling the disease. Improper disposal may cause odor nuisance, spread disease, and the resulting leachate could negatively impact water sources. Mortality management options that were used during the recent HPAI outbreak include composting, burial, incineration, and landfilling. The most commonly implemented disposal option was mass mortality composting. The purpose of mortality composting was to use biological heat treatment methods to degrade the carcass, inactivate the avian influenza virus, control odors, and reduce fly exposure in a safe, bio-secure, and environmentally sustainable manner. As a result of the outbreak, a national composting technical team was formed by the USDA, and a mortality composting protocol for avian influenza-infected flocks was published.