Union County veterinarian warns avian influenza remains a local threat to poultry industry

Dr. Jeff Broadway, the county veterinarian, told the Union County Consolidated Human Services Board on Jan. 10 that highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) remains active nationwide and has implications for local poultry producers and public health.

"This is an across the country issue," Dr. Jeff Broadway said, explaining that waterfowl act as carriers and that spillover has been detected in multiple species.

The update outlined how waterfowl feces are the primary environmental source of virus introduction to domestic flocks, how the virus can present differently across species, and what steps residents, producers and health officials should take to reduce risk. Broadway said the county has seen positive detections in the past: a captive black-headed vulture and a bald eagle tested positive in recent years, and state-level positives have appeared in dairy herds elsewhere in North Carolina.

Why it matters: Union County is a major poultry producer. Broadway cited 2023 county-level production figures included in state statistics: approximately 53,300,000 broilers and 3,600,000 turkeys; animal agriculture composed roughly 84% of county agricultural cash receipts and the county recorded about $609,000,000 in agricultural cash receipts. He warned that a farm-level positive can force depopulation of entire houses and pause production for months, disrupting tightly timed industry supply chains.

What officials described: Broadway explained clinical signs vary by species. In commercial chickens and turkeys, high-path avian influenza typically causes sharp increases in mortality, decreased egg production and visible swelling or discoloration; waterfowl commonly show no obvious signs. In cattle, he said, infected dairy cows may show fever, decreased appetite and a marked drop in milk production and quality.

Public-health precautions: Broadway and public-health staff described surveillance and passive monitoring practices for people with direct exposure to infected birds (for example, farm workers involved in depopulation). Megan Troll, communicable disease supervisor, said the local public health team conducts passive monitoring of exposed persons for roughly 10 days, checks symptom onset and arranges testing if needed.

On personal precautions, Broadway advised biosecurity for backyard flocks (keep feed and water enclosed, avoid contact with ponds and wild waterfowl, and isolate new birds), safe disposal of dead animals and thorough cooking of poultry products. He also reiterated that while there is not a human vaccine for avian influenza, public-health authorities recommend routine seasonal influenza vaccination to reduce the risk of co-infection that could enable viral reassortment.

Board questions and local context: Commissioners and board members asked about prior local response. Broadway recalled leading operations during the 2020 outbreak, coordinating quarantine, composting and movement plans. He said composting and high-heat disposal are used for carcass management and that the county currently requires transport of animal carcasses to a lined landfill in Anson County (local landfill burial is not permitted). He also noted concerns about potential trade and export impacts if commercial flocks test positive.

The board was urged to maintain vigilance, support producer outreach and promote basic biosecurity measures to mitigate risks to poultry production and the wider local economy.