Avian Flu Regulations in Illinois: What Every Poultry Owner Needs to Know

Illinois poultry owners — whether you run a large commercial operation or a small backyard flock — are operating in one of the most active regulatory environments for avian disease in recent memory. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in commercial flocks, backyard flocks, wild birds, and even zoo animals across the state, prompting a series of emergency suspensions, movement restrictions, and biosecurity mandates from the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA).

Understanding exactly what the rules require of you is not just a matter of compliance — it can mean the difference between protecting your flock and facing depopulation, lost compensation, or legal penalties. This guide walks you through every major regulatory area, from how the virus is classified to what happens if your birds test positive.

HPAI vs. LPAI: Understanding Avian Flu Classifications in Illinois

Not all avian influenza strains carry the same risk, and Illinois regulations treat them very differently. Avian Influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus that can infect poultry such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl, as well as wild birds. The virus is classified as low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI) based on the severity of illness it causes.

HPAI strains are deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days. LPAI strains, by contrast, typically cause few or no signs of illness, and they occur naturally in wild birds around the world. However, do not assume LPAI is harmless to your operation. Some LPAI strains can become highly pathogenic in poultry after circulating through a domestic flock.

Chickens and turkeys with LPAI may not show any signs of illness or they may show mild signs such as sneezing, coughing, and discharge from their eyes or beak. HPAI virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock.

Because LPAI does not typically kill poultry the way HPAI does, there may be control options beyond depopulation — for example, quarantine or controlled marketing may also be appropriate. If your farm is ever affected by LPAI, federal and state officials will work with you to determine what options are available.

You should also be aware that in Illinois, there have been detections of avian influenza H5N1 in poultry, wild birds, an opossum, and zoologic animals. The current dominant strain is H5N1, a subtype of HPAI that has driven the most significant regulatory activity in the state. For related avian disease context, see the guides on avian tuberculosis and avian chlamydiosis, two other reportable conditions Illinois poultry owners should understand.

Premises Registration Requirements for Poultry Owners in Illinois

One of the most important — and most overlooked — steps you can take as a poultry owner in Illinois is registering your premises and enrolling in the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). Both have direct consequences for disease traceability and your eligibility for compensation if an outbreak occurs.

Participation in NPIP is voluntary; however, the Illinois Poultry Inspection Act (510 ILCS 85/2.1) states that no hatching eggs or poultry, except poultry for immediate slaughter, shall be bought, sold, or transported within or imported into the state unless the hatchery or flock of origin is a participant in the National Poultry and Turkey Improvement Plans for the eradication of pullorum and fowl typhoid, or is following a program officially approved by the Department.

In practical terms, this means NPIP enrollment is functionally required if you intend to sell or move live birds or hatching eggs. Being a member of NPIP allows greater ease in moving hatching eggs and live birds within the state, across state lines, and to other countries. Most states will not allow poultry products unless they come from an NPIP participant.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare, serves as the Official State Agency (OSA) for the administration and oversight of the NPIP program in Illinois. These duties include interstate commerce, import/export, disease surveillance, testing, permitting, and disease response planning activities.

To enroll in NPIP in Illinois, a certified poultry tester will test your adult birds (four months of age and older) for Salmonella Pullorum-Typhoid, up to a maximum of 300 birds. A Bureau of Animal Health, Animal and Animal Products Investigator or field veterinarian will meet with you to complete a Hatchery/Flock Agreement. After the flock agreement and testing have been completed and reviewed by the Bureau, a NPIP flock number will be issued for the flock.

There is also an important import requirement to note: ratites (ostriches, emus, kiwis, cassowaries, and rhea) transported into Illinois must test negative for Avian Influenza within 10 days prior to entry into Illinois.

Biosecurity Requirements for Commercial and Backyard Flocks in Illinois

Illinois biosecurity requirements operate on two levels: a baseline set of practices expected of all flock owners regardless of size, and a formal, audited biosecurity plan required of large commercial operations as a condition of indemnity.

Baseline Biosecurity for All Flock Owners

Practicing good biosecurity is the first step in protecting your flock. Biosecurity that prevents interaction of your flock with wild birds or their droppings should be implemented, regardless of flock size.

The IDOA and University of Illinois veterinary experts recommend the following core practices:

• Keep birds fully enclosed with a solid roof covering them to prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings during HPAI outbreaks.
• Store all feed, drinking water, equipment, and other supplies out of reach of wild birds and rodents. The entire coop and run should be rodent-proof, as mice and rats have also been shown to transmit avian influenza.
• Use hardware cloth with 1/4-inch openings around the entire perimeter and floor of the run, or bury it several inches underground to prevent rodents from burrowing.
• Owners or caretakers of backyard poultry should not wear clothes or shoes with their birds that they have worn while caring for other birds or while hiking or walking in locations where waterfowl are present.
• Use EPA-approved disinfectants from List M, which are effective against influenza viruses, and follow the manufacturer’s label recommendation for contact time necessary to disinfect work surfaces, equipment, and PPE.
• Anyone with free-roaming poultry should keep flocks separated from areas with wild bird feeders.

Formal Biosecurity Audit Requirements for Large Commercial Operations

The NPIP Biosecurity Audit process is completed by the OSA for large poultry producers who are: commercial table egg layer premises with over 75,000 birds; commercial broiler premises that raise more than 100,000 broilers annually; commercial meat-type turkey premises that raise more than 30,000 turkeys annually; and raised-for-release upland game bird/waterfowl premises that raise more than 25,000 birds annually.

These premises must have a written biosecurity plan in place (as of September 20, 2020) which has been audited and rated as satisfactory. Producers without an audit will not be eligible for USDA APHIS VS indemnity or compensation funds in the event HPAI is detected in poultry on any of their premises.

As part of the audit, the OSA will, at minimum, evaluate the poultry biosecurity plan itself, which will include an evaluation against 14 biosecurity principles articulated in the NPIP Program Standards policy document, and review the documentation showing that the poultry biosecurity plan is being implemented.

Reporting Sick or Dead Birds in Illinois

Avian influenza is a reportable disease in Illinois, and you are legally required to report suspected cases promptly. Avian influenza is a reportable disease. Immediately report animals with any of these signs to state or federal animal health officials.

The signs that should trigger an immediate report include:

• Sudden death without prior symptoms
• Significant increase in flock mortality
• Decreased water or feed consumption
• Sharp drop in egg production
• Respiratory signs including coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge
• Neurological signs such as tremors, incoordination, or inability to stand

Poultry flock owners, managers, and veterinarians should report any unusual findings in domestic poultry — such as increase in mortality, decrease in water consumption, decrease in egg production, or respiratory signs including coughing and sneezing — to IDOA at 217-782-4944 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.

For wild birds, the reporting pathway is different. Members of the public are encouraged to report concentrations of five or more deceased birds found at one location to IDNR district wildlife biologists by going online. You can also contact USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297.

When handling carcasses while awaiting a response, follow strict PPE protocols. Avoid handling dead animals, but if you need to handle any carcasses, use appropriate personal protective equipment including goggles, an N95 mask, nitrile gloves, shoe covers, and disposable coveralls. Double bag all carcasses and potentially contaminated materials and disinfect the outside of the bag with an antimicrobial effective against avian influenza.

In Illinois, healthcare workers, veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, and researchers must immediately report suspected or confirmed cases of certain infectious diseases including influenza A variants like HPAI by calling the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Infectious Disease at (217) 785-7165.

Illinois’s Current HPAI Status and Active Outbreak Zones

Illinois has experienced significant HPAI activity over the past two years, and the threat remains active heading into the 2026 fall migration season. In Illinois, H5N1 has been detected in poultry, wild birds, a wild opossum, and animals in zoologic collections.

The most recent confirmed flock detections in Illinois were reported in late 2024 and into 2025. The first detection was in Vermilion County in a mixed species backyard (WOAH non-poultry) flock, with a second detection in Madison County in another mixed species backyard (WOAH non-poultry) flock. These detections prompted the IDOA to issue a series of rolling 30-day suspensions on poultry exhibitions and sales beginning in February 2025.

The IDOA subsequently lifted the temporary suspension on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets. The suspension was initially issued in February in response to the ongoing threat of H5N1 avian flu. As of the publication of this article, the suspension has been lifted, but the IDOA has made clear it will reinstate restrictions if conditions change.

Seasonality plays a major role in outbreak risk. The influenza virus is less stable and survives poorly in warmer and drier environments, and wild birds complete their migrations and settle into their nesting and breeding season, leaving fewer opportunities for bird-to-bird and bird-to-livestock viral transmission. However, cases may be diminishing in warmer months, but veterinarians and producers should still be familiar with H5N1 and be on alert for additional cases, particularly once the fall and winter season begins.

Detections are higher in the fall and spring because wild birds continue to spread the virus as they migrate to their seasonal homes. Illinois sits directly in the Mississippi Flyway, one of the most heavily traveled migratory bird corridors in North America, making the state particularly vulnerable during migration windows.

Poultry Movement and Quarantine Restrictions in Illinois

Movement of poultry into, within, and out of Illinois is governed by a combination of standing state law, NPIP requirements, and emergency orders that can be activated quickly during an active outbreak. You need to understand both the baseline rules and the emergency powers the IDOA holds.

Standard Movement Requirements

Under normal conditions, any poultry — except those destined for immediate slaughter — that are bought, sold, or transported within Illinois or imported into the state must originate from an NPIP-certified flock or one following a department-approved program. This is the standing requirement under the Illinois Poultry Inspection Act.

For interstate movement, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is required. Illinois is currently transitioning to electronic CVIs (ECVIs). As of July 1, 2026, paper CVIs will no longer be supplied or accepted. You can continue to use the paper forms previously received through July 1, 2026; however, after that date, ECVI platforms must be used to complete CVIs for both interstate and intrastate movements. Plan ahead — this deadline applies to poultry movements as well as other livestock.

Additionally, starting January 1, 2027, Illinois will only accept ECVIs for import movements.

Emergency Movement Suspensions

When HPAI threat levels rise, the IDOA has authority to suspend poultry exhibitions and sales. This authority was exercised repeatedly between February and June 2025. The IDOA announced on May 9, 2025, that the 30-day suspension on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets, in response to the ongoing threat of H5N1 avian flu, would be extended an additional 30 days through June 10, 2025.

Control Areas and Quarantine Zones

When HPAI is confirmed on a premises, USDA APHIS and IDOA establish a formal control area around the infected site. If birds used for restocking are being sourced from a premises located in an active Control Area, then testing and permitting requirements must be met before movement.

Within a control area, movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment, and personnel is tightly restricted. Avian influenza viruses spread through direct, bird-to-bird contact. They can also spread via contaminated surfaces or materials, such as manure, egg flats, crates, or other farming materials and equipment, and people’s clothing, shoes, or hands. This is why control areas restrict not just animal movement but also vehicle and equipment traffic.

Flock Depopulation and Compensation Rules in Illinois

If HPAI is confirmed in your flock, depopulation is not optional. The only way to stop the disease is to depopulate all affected and exposed poultry. Understanding the compensation process in advance is critical, because the indemnity system requires specific steps to be completed in a defined order.

Who Is Eligible for Indemnity?

Federal indemnity is available through USDA APHIS for producers whose flocks are depopulated due to HPAI. However, eligibility is not automatic. APHIS has established requirements for certain poultry premises to complete a biosecurity audit as a condition for receiving indemnity payments for poultry depopulated because of an outbreak of HPAI.

Because you will only be indemnified for live birds and HPAI spreads quickly and can be fatal to flocks, it is critical that you report sick birds immediately and begin the indemnity process quickly if you have an infected flock.

The Indemnity Process Step by Step

1. Report sick or dead birds to IDOA or USDA APHIS immediately upon suspicion of HPAI.
2. A state or federal veterinarian will confirm the diagnosis and initiate the response.
3. Work with your case manager or Field Reimbursement Specialist to fill out and sign an indemnity request form. USDA will begin depopulation work and prepare the initial indemnity value. You’ll receive paperwork indicating the indemnity amount.
4. Register your business with the U.S. Government System for Award Management (SAM). Complete and sign the paperwork including your bank information and SAM registration information, and return it to your case manager or Field Reimbursement Specialist. You’ll receive payment from USDA via direct deposit in about 2–3 weeks.

Depopulation and Disposal Compensation

APHIS offers two methods to reimburse producers for the depopulation and/or disposal (D&D) of birds affected with HPAI — the D&D Flat Rate method or the Detailed Financial Plan method.

For premises that tested presumptive positive on or after January 1, 2026, updated flat rate structures apply. Premises that test presumptive positive for HPAI on or after January 1, 2026, are eligible to use the updated D&D flat rates and the split rates. Depopulation activities will be compensated at 20% of the combined flat rate amount and disposal activities will be compensated at 80% of the combined flat rate amount. Grower/Operator/Owners may elect to use the flat rate for depopulation, disposal, or both.

APHIS will also compensate you for materials such as contaminated feed or egg packaging that must be destroyed because they cannot be safely or adequately cleaned. To receive compensation for these items, your Field Reimbursement Specialist must review and approve the items in writing before you remove or disassemble them.

Restocking After Depopulation

Restocking a depopulated premises is a regulated process with mandatory waiting periods. A premises may only seek approval to restock after it completes a 14- or 28-day fallow period, after final virus elimination, after environmental sampling is complete and shows no evidence of HPAI, and after the premises meets requirements of the State Quarantine Notice/Hold Order and the USDA Flock Plan.

Birds used for restocking must be from flocks tested for HPAI and/or from an NPIP commercial flock. If birds used for restocking are being sourced from a premises located in an active Control Area, then testing and permitting requirements must be met before movement.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Illinois

Failing to follow Illinois avian flu regulations carries real consequences — both legal and financial. The regulatory framework is enforced at both the state and federal level, and the penalties are designed to reflect the serious public and agricultural health risks that non-compliance creates.

State-Level Enforcement

The Illinois Department of Agriculture enforces the Illinois Poultry Inspection Act (510 ILCS 85) and related animal health statutes. Violations can include:

• Selling, transporting, or exhibiting poultry in violation of an active IDOA suspension order
• Failing to report a suspected HPAI case to IDOA or USDA APHIS
• Moving poultry out of a quarantine or control area without authorization
• Importing poultry without required NPIP certification or a valid CVI
• Failing to comply with a depopulation or quarantine order

Under the Illinois Animal Disease Control Act (8 Ill. Adm. Code 85), the IDOA has authority to quarantine premises, seize animals, and order destruction of birds without compensation when the owner has failed to comply with disease control requirements. Non-compliant producers can also face civil fines and referral for criminal prosecution in egregious cases.

Loss of Federal Indemnity

Perhaps the most financially significant penalty for non-compliance is the loss of federal indemnity eligibility. Premises must have a written biosecurity plan in place that has been audited and rated as satisfactory. Producers without an audit will not be eligible for USDA APHIS VS indemnity or compensation funds in the event HPAI is detected in poultry on any of their premises.

This means that if you operate a large commercial flock, fail to complete the required biosecurity audit, and HPAI is subsequently detected, you could lose the right to any federal compensation for your depopulated birds — a potentially catastrophic financial outcome.

Federal Enforcement

Animal health professionals including veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, public health, zoo, or wildlife personnel, and others are required to report diagnosed or suspected cases of nationally listed reportable animal diseases to APHIS Area Veterinarians in Charge and to the state animal health official as applicable under state reporting regulations. Failure to report by licensed professionals can result in disciplinary action against their professional licenses in addition to regulatory penalties.

Staying compliant with Illinois avian flu regulations is not simply about avoiding fines — it is about protecting your flock, your neighbors’ flocks, and the broader agricultural economy of the state. If you have questions about your specific compliance obligations, contact the IDOA Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare at 217-782-4944 or email through the IDOA poultry page. For ongoing updates on disease activity in neighboring states that may affect Illinois movement rules, monitor the USDA APHIS flock detection tracker regularly.