#19,169
Although numbers vary between published sources, since 2020 there has been a significant increase in the number of people who have decided to raise backyard poultry - especially hens for eggs - across the United States (see Chicken Coops Market Outlook 2025 to 2035).The APPA estimates `Eleven (11) million U.S. households own backyard chickens (a 28% increase from 2023)'
Since late 2021, HPAI H5 avian influenza has become endemic in wild North American birds, and has affected both commercial and backyard poultry flocks in all 50 states (see graphic below).
While the CDC has released biosafety guidelines (see Backyard Flock Owners: Protect Yourself from Bird Flu) - it is unknown how many backyard poultry owners have actually read it, or would be willing to follow their recommendations.
And while H5Nx is our biggest concern, there are other avian subtypes which have been reported in North America with zoonotic potential, including several subtypes of H7.
Over the past 18 months we've seen at least 3 U.S. backyard flock owners infected with HPAI H5, resulting in 2 deaths. This is an all-too familiar pattern, which we've seen repeated dozens of times in many other countries.
Last year, after Hawaii's first detection of H5N1, their DOH conducted a survey of local residents aged 18 years or older who either kept birds at home, performed animal rescue, or engaged in other bird-related activities. The results indicated more education was needed:
All of which brings us to a new survey, published last week in the CDC's MMWR, which looks at similar knowledge and practices among backyard poultry owners in the United States. It is subject to some significant limitations, including:
- This survey used an online convenience sample of highly educated (47% held held graduate or professional degrees) respondents, which is far higher than the general population (and likely target group of backyard poultry owners).
- And people often over-state their intentions in these types of surveys, much as we saw a dozen years ago (see BMJ: The `Hawthorne Effect’ On Hospital Hand Hygiene Compliance); where HCWs who knew they are being observed washed their hands far more often than when believed unobserved.
But, it's a starting point. And even with these advantages, the survey turned up some important gaps in knowledge about avian flu. I've posted the summary, abstract, and some excerpts from the MMWR report below.
Follow the link to read it in its entirety. I'll have a bit more after the break.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Avian Influenza Among Owners of Backyard Flocks — United States, July–December 2025
Weekly / May 14, 2026 / 75(18);234–239
Melissa A. Rolfes, PhD1; Leah Bauck, MPH2; Beth A. Lipton, DVM3; Sara F. Margrey, DVM4; Rebecca A. Campagna, DVM5; Elizabeth Harker, MPH1; Colin A. Basler, DVM6; Courtney M. Dewart, PhD4,7; Sascha R. Ellington, PhD1; Stacy M. Holzbauer, DVM2,7; Malia J. Ireland, DVM2; Jeremy W. Kuo, MPH8; Christine M. Szablewski, DVM1; Lizette O. Durand, PhD, VMD1; Carrie Reed, DSc1 (VIEW AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS)View suggested citation
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Since 2024, three human influenza A(H5) cases have been reported among people in the U.S. who own backyard birds. Although previous surveys suggest that backyard flock owners are aware of avian influenza, information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices is needed to guide development of education and prevention materials.
What is added by this report?
A survey of 638 U.S. backyard flock owners revealed incomplete knowledge about signs and symptoms of avian influenza in humans and birds. Respondents who knew more about avian influenza were more likely to report an intention to use personal protective equipment if they were to interact with potentially infected birds.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Education of backyard flock owners by health partners regarding signs and symptoms of avian influenza can help flock owners keep their flocks, themselves, and their families healthy.
Article PDF
Full Issue PDF
Abstract
Many U.S. households keep backyard bird flocks for their personal food supply or as garden partners. Backyard flocks in the United States have occasionally been infected with avian influenza A viruses, putting flock owners at risk for exposure. During July–December 2025, CDC, in collaboration with state health and agricultural partners, conducted an online survey to learn more about backyard flock owners and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to avian influenza.
Among 638 respondents who completed the survey, 92% were White (and not Hispanic or Latino), and approximately one half had a graduate or professional degree; a majority kept small, predominantly chicken flocks; and many reported that wild birds could access their flock or the flock’s food or water, which increases the flock’s risk for avian influenza exposure.
Although a majority of respondents had heard of avian influenza, approximately one third were unaware of the signs and symptoms of infection in their birds or humans. If they needed to interact with ill or dead birds, a majority of owners knew the recommended precautions to take and indicated willingness to use most, though not all, recommended personal protective equipment. These findings highlight important topics for risk messaging and educational resources so that backyard flock owners are better informed and better able to protect their flocks, themselves, and their families from avian influenza.
Introduction
Avian influenza A(H5) viruses, commonly referred to as bird flu, circulate among wild waterfowl and seabirds and are causing outbreaks in domestic poultry, dairy cows, and other mammals in the United States; 71 human cases of influenza A(H5) have been reported in the United States since March 2024. Three of these cases, including two deaths (1–4), occurred among persons who were owners of backyard flocks.
Surveys of U.S. backyard flock owners conducted in 2013 (5) and 2018 (6), found that a majority of respondents kept small flocks (fewer than 10 birds, primarily chickens) for <5 years. Most respondents were aware of avian influenza, and few reported using personal protective equipment (PPE) during regular interactions with their birds (6). To update and build on previous surveys, CDC and state partners conducted a survey among backyard flock owners aimed to assess knowledge of specific signs and symptoms of avian influenza and planned practices if their flock were to become infected with avian influenza viruses. These data might help guide and refine public health messaging to U.S. backyard flock owners.
(SNIP)
Discussion
A majority of surveyed U.S. backyard flock owners had heard about avian influenza, were aware that U.S. backyard flocks have been infected, and knew that human cases of avian influenza have occurred in the United States. However, important gaps in knowledge and prevention practices remain among flock owners, suggesting opportunities for focused public health, animal health, and agricultural outreach.
(SNIP)
Backyard flock owners should know how to protect themselves from avian influenza. Although most survey respondents reported willingness to use some types of PPE, fewer indicated they would use eye protection or coveralls. Messages to flock owners could highlight reasons to use each piece of recommended PPE, when to use it, and how to use it correctly.
Recent incidences of influenza A(H5) human cases among backyard flock owners in the United States underscore the importance of flock owners knowing the signs and symptoms of possible human A(H5) virus infection. The survey identified limited awareness of nonrespiratory symptoms of avian influenza in humans (such as conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and vomiting) and low perceived personal risk, which could result in delays in seeking health care. Flock owners should be encouraged to seek prompt medical evaluation for any potential symptoms of avian influenza virus infection and report recent bird exposure to health care providers to support timely diagnosis and further infection prevention and control measures.
Last March, in EFSA: Risk communication on Avian Flu Biosecurity, we looked at a proposed, phased 3-year program to increase biosecurity awareness in small holdings across the EU.
As we discussed in 2024's Mixed Messaging On HPAI Food Safety, there is some degree of risk in the slaughtering of live birds and preparation of raw poultry; especially from birds raised at home or purchased from live markets.
PAHO (the Pan-American Health Organization) mentions this on their Avian Influenza landing page: Plucking, handling infected poultry carcasses, and preparing poultry for consumption, especially in domestic settings, may also be risk factors.
Also in 2024 the WHO published Interim Guidance to Reduce the Risk of Infection in People Exposed to Avian Influenza Viruses, which lists a number of `risk factors', including:
- keep live poultry in their backyards or homes, or who purchase live birds at markets;
- slaughter, de-feather and/or butcher poultry or other animals at home;
- handle and prepare raw poultry for further cooking and consumption;
