2025 Update on Avian Flu — What You Need To Know To Protect Your Operations 

The highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak that began in 2022 continues to devastate America’s poultry and dairy industries, with no signs of slowing down. If you operate a poultry or dairy farm, understanding the newest development in avian flu and implementing effective bird control solutions this Fall—particularly laser bird control technology—could be the difference between business continuity and catastrophic loss. 

Fall 2025 is Showing an Early Avian Flu Surge  

The 2025 fall season has brought an alarming early surge in avian flu that has taken farmers and experts by surprise. After a relative lull during Spring and Summer, many farmers have understandably shifted their focus to other pressing concerns—navigating changing import and export customs regulations and worrying about the stability of their immigrant labor force. With flu traditionally not becoming severe until closer to winter, September’s explosive spread has been completely atypical and unexpected – adding another burden to farm operations. 

The Outbreak Continues in 2025 

According to the CDC, H5N1 bird flu remains widespread in wild birds worldwide and continues causing significant outbreaks in both poultry and dairy cattle. What makes this outbreak particularly alarming is its scope and persistence. Since February 2022, over 168 million birds have been affected across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, making this the largest and longest outbreak in U.S. history—more than three times larger than the previous record-breaking 2014-2015 outbreak that affected 50.5 million birds. 

A Troubling Regional Pattern Emerges 

While cases are being reported nationwide, the hardest hit areas this fall are Wisconsin and Minnesota, with the Dakotas and Iowa following close behind. This geographic pattern is significant for two critical reasons: 

First, as the furthest northern states along the Mississippi Flyway, these regions are the first places where birds migrating south from Canada pass through. What we’re witnessing now is setting a pattern that will likely replicate itself further south as migration progresses through fall and winter. Farms in states along the flyway should prepare now for what’s heading their way. 

Second, this year’s pattern represents a complete reversal of typical outbreak dynamics. Traditionally, outbreaks begin on the coasts each year, with the middle of the country lagging behind and usually experiencing less severe impacts. This fall has flipped that script entirely. The causes remain unclear—it could indicate a different primary vector species migrating earlier than usual, possibly emerging immunity in coastal bird populations, or it may simply signal an exceptionally severe flu season ahead. 

Financial Devastation from Avian Flu 

The economic impact on American agriculture has been staggering. By late 2024, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that costs associated with the H5N1 outbreak exceeded $1.4 billion in compensation, indemnity, and payments to farmers. However, these figures only tell part of the story. 

For poultry operations, the losses are often total. Infected flocks must be completely depopulated—the only method currently available to control the virus’s spread. The USDA compensates farmers only for birds they cull, not for those that die before inspection arrives. One Illinois family lost their entire 3,000-hen farm in early 2025, receiving just $2,500 in compensation for surviving hens, representing a fraction of their expected $100,000 revenue. 

Dairy farms face equally devastating consequences. Research published in Nature Communications found that a single infected herd of nearly 4,000 cows experienced losses of approximately $737,500 from decreased milk production, death, and early removal—before accounting for long-term reproductive impacts or altered herd dynamics. During quarantine periods lasting up to six months, a typical 1,000-cow operation can lose $2.1 million in revenue. 

The ripple effects have reached consumers nationwide, with egg prices increasing 8.4% in December 2024, 13.8% in January 2025, and 12.5% in February 2025, while retail milk prices surged 7.7% in early 2025. 

How Wild Birds Spread the Virus: The Critical Role of Small Birds 

After years of this outbreak persisting and spreading to over 320 confirmed species of birds and dozens of mammals, we now understand that transmission pathways are more complex than initially thought. While waterfowl have traditionally been considered the primary reservoir for avian influenza, small birds—particularly sparrows and European starlings—have emerged as critically important vectors that many farms are overlooking. 

This shift in understanding is crucial. Until recently, the common consensus was that small birds played little to no role in bird flu transmission. Many farms have already implemented strong biosecurity measures against waterfowl, but they may be unaware that the smaller birds they’ve been ignoring represent a significant threat. Research has demonstrated clearly that starlings and sparrows can contract and spread H5N1, and they present unique challenges: they can be harder to deter, are more numerous, and can easily access barn interiors through small openings.  

A USDA study on infected Iowa poultry farms found that sparrows and European starlings were the most commonly captured bird species on farm properties. These birds are attracted to farms by spilled feed, water sources, and shelter, and unlike larger waterfowl, they often have direct contact with poultry inside facilities.  

For farms that don’t typically see large numbers of waterfowl but host populations of small birds, this knowledge is essential. If your facilities are frequented by starlings, sparrows, or other small birds, your biosecurity strategy must account for these vectors specifically. 

Waterfowl—including Canada geese, snow geese, mallards, and other migratory birds—do remain important in the disease ecology. Recent data from August and September 2025 confirms these species continue to carry and transmit H5N1. The USDA confirms that wild birds can carry H5N1 without showing symptoms in some cases, spreading the virus to new areas during migration. However, it’s heartbreaking to note that while some waterfowl can be asymptomatic carriers, last winter there were massive die-offs among wild waterfowl populations, and cases have already begun appearing again this fall. The toll on wild bird populations has been devastating. 

When any wild birds—large or small—congregate near farm properties, they can shed the virus through saliva, mucus, and feces, contaminating water sources, feed, equipment, and farm environments. Wild birds don’t need direct contact with domestic cattle or poultry to introduce the virus. Contaminated drinking water from ponds or streams, feed accessed by any bird species, and surfaces touched by their droppings all serve as transmission routes. The virus can survive for extended periods in the environment—up to two weeks on smooth surfaces and several weeks to months in cold fresh water. 

Laser Bird Control: The Solution Farms Need 

Enhanced biosecurity is critical, and one of the most effective bird repellent solutions emerging from recent research is automated laser bird deterrent systems. A comprehensive study by Wageningen University in the Netherlands demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of this laser bird repellent technology on a poultry farm experiencing regular wild waterfowl visits. 

The research results were striking: when automated bird laser deterrents were deployed, wild duck visits to the farm’s free-range area were reduced by 99.7%, and other wild bird visits between sunrise and 10 AM decreased by more than 96%. This bird laser technology works because birds perceive the laser beam as a physical threat, prompting them to flee without causing actual harm. Unlike traditional bird control methods, birds don’t become accustomed to the laser patterns, which are randomized for sustained effectiveness. 

Laser bird control systems function as highly effective deterrents for both large waterfowl and small bird species, creating a virtual perimeter around your property and providing 24/7 protection covering approximately 5 to 10 acres depending on the bird species. These bird laser deterrent systems operate in all light conditions, as birds can see the entire laser beam even in full daylight—making them superior to conventional bird control approaches. 

Take Action Now 

The current outbreak shows no signs of abating, and this year’s early surge and unusual geographic pattern make proactive bird control measures more essential than ever. The USDA’s Defend the Flock program emphasizes that biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and keeping wild birds—both large and small—away from your domestic animals using proven bird laser deterrent technology ranks among the most critical preventive measures. 

Financial assistance may be available. In February 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced up to $1 billion in funding, including $500 million specifically for on-farm biosecurity improvements. Some states, like Minnesota, have offered grants covering up to 80% of laser bird repellent costs—up to $10,000 per farm. 

Don’t wait for the virus to reach your operation. The statistics are clear: with 168 million birds affected, losses exceeding $1.4 billion, and the virus continuing to spread to new species and locations, every farm remains at risk. With the unprecedented early spread this fall and the likelihood that cases will continue moving south along migration routes, implementing automated laser bird control as part of a comprehensive biosecurity strategy could protect your livelihood. As we move deeper into the fall migration season, now is the time to take preventative action. Contact us today to prepare your facilities from an avian flu outbreak before it’s too late. 

Marcus Hagberg

Marus Hagberg is the COO of Wild Goose Chase, a leading pest and nuisance bird control company serving the Midwest. With over 20 years of industry experience, he helps lead a specialized team of biologists, canine handlers, and construction experts to deliver effective, customized solutions. Marus is committed to providing strategic, research-backed bird control services that protect properties from health and safety risks.