A deadly and extremely infectious bird flu has cropped up in backyard chickens in Tulsa, and in waterfowl near Oklahoma City.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also detected in backyard chickens in Creek County, is usually fatal to all poultry it infects, but the risk of transmission to humans and other animals is low, according to Oklahoma State University Extension and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

"Backyard poultry owners should take careful biosecurity measures this fall to protect their animals," the Extension Service said.

If the disease is suspected, the Oklahoma State Department of Health Acute Disease Service can help monitor for symptoms and arrange for testing and treatment. An on-call epidemiologist can be reached at 405-426-8710.

It sounds ominous, but backyard chicken enthusiast Sara Braden, co-founder of CommonWealth Urban Farms in Oklahoma City, said she isn't terribly worried. She keeps six hens in an enclosure with a chicken coop at the farm at 3310 N Olie Ave.

"I didn't freak out about it. I already always follow most of the rules," she said, like washing her hands in soapy water every time she handles anything to do with her hens.

Oklahoma City legalized backyard chickens and quail earlier this year. But with no permits required, there's no way to determine how many birds are in the city or how many people keep them, said Ward 6 Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon, a supporter of backyard chickens and urban agriculture in general.

Urban agriculture is not "big ag," which probably has more cause to worry than hobbyists, Braden said.

"Like many problems with agriculture, my understanding is it's really more of a problem for big ag than for backyard chicken keepers," she said.

Braden said she did find news of the disease upsetting "because it might scare people away from having backyard chickens." On the other hand, she acknowledged the news might have the opposite effect and turn people away from commercially produced poultry and eggs and embrace backyard chickens.

Signs and symptoms of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI

Here is what to look for in backyard chickens infected with the flu, from the Extension Service.

• Coughing and sneezing.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Extreme depression.

• Lack of energy.

• Decrease in feed or water intake.

• Swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, wattle and legs.

• Decrease in egg production.

• Sudden, unexplained death.

• Quietness among the flock.

Poultry owners suspecting HPAI should immediately contact one of the following:

• Local county extension educator: Find your county.

• Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, 405-744-6623.

• Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry State Veterinarian Rod Hall, 405-522-6141.

• A veterinarian.

Ways to prevent an infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in backyard chickens

Here are methods of preventing an infection of HPAI, from the Extension Service.

• Restrict visitor access to birds.

• Prevent contact with wild birds (especially waterfowl).

• Refrain from visiting other poultry operation locations.

• Set aside clothing and footwear to wear only when working with birds.

• Disinfect footwear before entering a barn or coop.

• Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling birds.

• Reduce availability of food, water and any potential nesting areas for wild birds.

• Fix holes in roofs, screens and walls of poultry barns or coops.

• Do not share equipment with other bird owners.

• Birds that have been near other poultry should be quarantined from the rest of the flock for at least 14 days.

OSU Extension offers a helpful fact sheet on Small Flock Biosecurity for Prevention of Avian Influenza, and poultry owners can access other state and national HPAI updates through the ODAFF disease alert page.

Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up here for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Highly pathogenic avian bird flu strikes backyard chickens in Oklahoma