An owner moves poultry using a cage that previously held a bird from a live bird market. Could the virus have been introduced into the flock from that cage?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not possible
• D. Only if the cage was contaminated after entering the farm

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that disease can spread through contaminated equipment, a mechanism known as fomite transmission. A cage that previously held a bird from a live bird market can harbor virus on its surfaces, feces, or secretions. When that cage is reused, the virus can be transferred to the new flock through contact with the contaminated surface, potentially infecting them. Some avian viruses persist on plastic or metal for varying periods, especially in cooler, moister conditions, so transmission is plausible even without direct contact with an infected bird.

That’s why the correct answer is that the virus could have been introduced into the flock from that cage. The risk isn’t limited to contamination after entering the farm; contamination could occur at the market or during transport, and improper cleaning or reuse keeps that risk present. Proper cleaning and disinfection between uses, or using a clean or disposable cage, minimizes this risk.