Avian Influenza and Farm Animal Welfare

Highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks cause mass mortality and raise serious welfare concerns for millions of farmed poultry each year.

Key Facts

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has killed or led to the culling of over a billion birds since 2021
Mass culling via ventilation shutdown plus (VSD+) is widely used but considered inhumane by many welfare experts
Infected birds suffer respiratory distress, neurological symptoms and death within 1-2 days of clinical signs
Intensive confinement in sheds accelerates transmission once HPAI enters a flock
Free-range and backyard flocks face heightened exposure during wild bird migration seasons
Biosecurity measures including footbaths, protective clothing and restricted access reduce but do not eliminate risk

Welfare Considerations

HPAI outbreaks create acute welfare crises. Culling methods approved for speed often cause significant suffering — VSD+ raises internal temperatures over 30 minutes. Sick birds experience distress before death. Survivors in affected regions may be confined indoors for weeks, deprived of foraging and natural behavior. Improving biosecurity, developing effective vaccines, and reforming culling standards would all reduce suffering substantially.

What You Can Do

Support HPAI vaccination research and advocate for vaccine approval in your country
Urge agricultural agencies to adopt more humane emergency culling protocols
Choose producers with genuine outdoor access and strong biosecurity programmes
Back legislation requiring faster reporting of suspected outbreaks to reduce spread
Reduce poultry consumption to decrease the total number of birds at risk