What the agency's own pages and tables showed when we checked, with the line each comes from.
Latest Maine detection: a York County non-commercial backyard flock (DACF update February 13, 2026; APHIS York 04, confirmed February 6, 2026, control area released: NA). DACF names no control area or event restriction for it
“(HPAI Update – February 13, 2026) Maine Animal Health officials have confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI – H5) in a non-commercial backyard flock in York County.”
Maine Department of Agriculture · maine.gov · page top
Feb 6, 2026·York County·Backyard (Non-Poultry)·30 birds·no control area listed
DACF rates HPAI risk as high in Maine (statement undated on the page)
“The risk for HPAI is considered high in Maine.”
Maine Department of Agriculture · maine.gov · Status of HPAI in Maine
In force today
Worked out from each notice's dates for October 15, 2026. Bird-flu orders come first, then the standing rules.
Standing ruleShows and fairs
2026 Maine fair check-in: every exhibition bird must come from an NPIP flock with a current 2026 NPIP 9-3 form, and birds showing disease don't pass check-in
In effect from April 16, 2026 · No end date in the source
Statewide · Maine fairs and events, 2026 · Birds: poultry and waterfowl at fairs and events
A current 2026 NPIP 9-3 form serves as the bird's certificate; no other ID is required
NPIP participation means annual flock testing
Birds must show no evidence of disease (diarrhoea, runny nares, watery eyes, snicking), no feather loss, lice or mites, skin lesions, eye injuries, prolapse, neurological signs or lameness
Ill or severely stressed poultry: DACF recommends sending them home
Show poultry must come from flocks with an official pullorum-typhoid clean rating
Birds from a quarantined flock are barred, and sick or exposed birds can be removed and quarantined
No end date in the source
Statewide · fairs, livestock and poultry shows and exhibitions · Birds: domestic animals and poultry
Birds with signs of contagious disease, and birds in contact with them, may be ordered removed and quarantined
Out-of-state exhibition animals need a permit before entering, and a CVI marked 'For Exhibition Only' (valid from the first to the last Maine fair of the year)
Out-of-state exhibition animals may stay only at the place of exhibition, not on any private place or farm in Maine, and can't be sold or removed without meeting import rules
Out-of-state exhibition animals must meet all import testing requirements for their species before the CVI is issued
“Domestic animals and poultry shall not be permitted on fairgrounds, livestock and poultry shows and exhibitions if they originate from a herd or flock under quarantine.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §5(C)(2) (fairs and exhibitions)
“All poultry for exhibition must originate from flocks that have an official Pullorum-typhoid clean rating.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §5(C)(3)
“A permit is required before animals may enter the state for exhibition.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §4(K)(1)
“Exhibition animals shall only reside at the place of exhibition and may not be moved to any private place or farm in the state of Maine.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §4(K)(3)
“Exhibition animals must meet all importation testing requirements for that species prior to obtaining a certificate of veterinary inspection.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §4(K)(4)
Standing ruleShows and fairs
Advisory (not an order): the six New England state veterinarians strongly discourage waterfowl exhibitions and may recommend delaying or cancelling poultry shows
Events that go ahead should use biosecurity best practices
In effect from May 5, 2026 · No end date in the source
Statewide · fairs, competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps and other bird gatherings (all six New England states) · Birds: domestic and wild waterfowl; domestic fowl and poultry
Maine DACF's own site posts the earlier March 27, 2026 version (same avian advice); the May 5, 2026 update is read from Connecticut's copy
The March 27 version also noted that Massachusetts banned waterfowl exhibitions through April 30, 2026 (see the Massachusetts page)
“The New England State Veterinarians strongly discourage the exhibition of domestic and wild waterfowl species and may recommend delaying or canceling domestic fowl or poultry shows. If events are held, best practices for biosecurity should be implemented.”
New England State Veterinarians (ME: Dr. Taryn Pearson) · portal.ct.gov · Avian Influenza (HPAI) Notices, Avian species
“The New England State Veterinarians strongly discourage the exhibition of domestic and wild waterfowl species and may recommend delaying or canceling domestic fowl or poultry shows.”
Maine Department of Agriculture · maine.gov · Avian Influenza (HPAI) Notices, Avian species
How to reportReporting sick birds
Avian influenza in poultry must be reported to the Commissioner immediately (within 24 hours, by phone or DACF's online form)
DACF asks keepers to report sick birds or unusual deaths to the state veterinarian or USDA (1-866-536-7593)
No end date in the source
Statewide · Birds: poultry
Immediate list also includes any unexplained increase in dead or diseased animals
The Commissioner may quarantine animals with a reportable disease and their contacts
DACF's report link points to a Microsoft Forms page (forms.office.com)
“The following diseases are to be reported to the commissioner either immediately (within 24 hours by phone or using the on-line disease report form on the Department’s website) or monthly, as follows:”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §5(B)(1)
“Report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through your state veterinarian or through USDA's toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.”
Maine Department of Agriculture · maine.gov · FAQ: What should I do if I have sick birds
Bringing birds or hatching eggs into Maine
Poultry and hatching eggs entering Maine need a valid CVI. Breeding and production birds must come from NPIP pullorum-typhoid clean, U.S. Sanitation Monitored flocks (commercial ones also MG/MS clean). Birds from any sick flock or area under quarantine may not be imported. Show birds also need an entry permit and a 'For Exhibition Only' CVI, and DACF's 2026 fair checklist requires a current NPIP 9-3. DACF's import page also offers an import permit form; whether ordinary poultry need one wasn't confirmed (see the notes at the end of this page). NWS (June 29, 2026): birds from an NWS-infested county need examination and a 5-day CVI with an NWS-free statement; chicks up to 3 days and hatching eggs exempt from examination.
What the entry rules say
“Poultry for exhibition must originate from flocks having a N.P.I.P. pullorum typhoid clean rating.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §4(E)(5)
Standing ruleBringing birds in
Poultry and hatching eggs entering Maine need a valid CVI, and no bird from a sick flock or any area under quarantine may be imported
No end date in the source
Statewide · entry into Maine · Birds: poultry and hatching eggs (domesticated birds bred for eggs, meat, down or feathers)
Breeding or production poultry and hatching eggs: from NPIP pullorum-typhoid clean flocks or hatcheries that are U.S. Sanitation Monitored
Commercial breeding or production: also NPIP M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae clean
Poultry for immediate slaughter: imported under permit and unloaded only at the slaughter establishment
Exhibition poultry: from NPIP PT clean flocks, plus a permit and an exhibition CVI
Ratites: negative AI test within 30 days
Non-compliant imports may be returned, quarantined, or slaughtered or condemned
“Domestic animals or poultry infected with or exposed to any contagious or infectious disease, or any domestic animals or birds from any sick herd, flock or area under quarantine in any state or country shall not be imported into the state of Maine.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §3(A)
“All poultry and hatching eggs of poultry must be accompanied by a valid certificate of veterinary inspection.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §4(E)(1)
“Poultry for breeding or production and/or hatching eggs of poultry must originate from flocks and/or hatcheries have an N.P.I.P pullorum-typhoid clean rating and must be U.S. sanitation monitored.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Secretary of State rules) · maine.gov · §4(E)(2)
Other disease entry orders
Not about bird flu, but they apply to poultry coming in.
May applyBringing birds in
New World screwworm entry restrictions (June 29, 2026): birds from a county with a screwworm detection in the last 30 days need examination and a CVI issued within 5 days stating they are free of wounds and screwworm
In effect from June 29, 2026 · No end date in the source
Statewide · domestic animals entering Maine from NWS-infested zones or counties · Birds: susceptible species (all warm-blooded domestic animals, poultry included); hatching eggs and birds up to 3 days old exempt from examination
From an infested zone or infested county: examined and found NWS-free by an accredited veterinarian before entry
From an infested county (detection in last 30 days): CVI within 5 days with the stated examination statement and any NWS treatment in the past 90 days
None from an NWS-quarantined or suspect premises until released
Hatching eggs and birds up to 3 days old: exempt from examination; may ship on a CVI or 9-3
“All domestic animals, including domestic livestock, poultry, dogs, and cats, must meet the importation requirements outlined in Maine rule Chapter 206.”
“Report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through your state veterinarian or through USDA's toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.”
Maine Department of Agriculture · maine.gov · FAQ: What should I do if I have sick birds
Recent detections in Maine
USDA APHIS lists no confirmed bird-flu detections in Maine flocks in the 30 days to October 14, 2026. Latest detection in the APHIS data: October 9, 2026. The national picture
Common questions
Is there a bird flu order in Maine right now?
We found no bird-flu order covering Maine or any of its areas today. Its standing rules for bringing birds in and showing them still apply.
Can I take my chickens to a poultry show or swap in Maine?
We found no bird-flu ban on shows or sales in force on October 15, 2026. Standing rules apply: 2026 Maine fair check-in; Show poultry must come from flocks with an official pullorum-typhoid clean rating; Advisory.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into Maine?
Poultry and hatching eggs entering Maine need a valid CVI. Breeding and production birds must come from NPIP pullorum-typhoid clean, U.S. Sanitation Monitored flocks (commercial ones also MG/MS clean). Birds from any sick flock or area under quarantine may not be imported. Show birds also need an entry permit and a 'For Exhibition Only' CVI, and DACF's 2026 fair checklist requires a current NPIP 9-3. DACF's import page also offers an import permit form; whether ordinary poultry need one wasn't confirmed (see the notes at the end of this page). NWS (June 29, 2026): birds from an NWS-infested county need examination and a 5-day CVI with an NWS-free statement; chicks up to 3 days and hatching eggs exempt from examination.
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Maine?
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), Division of Animal and Plant Health, Animal Health (State Veterinarian) at 207-287-3701 (DACF Animal Health); USDA 1-866-536-7593. Report sick or dying birds there or to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. This page is not veterinary advice; follow your state veterinarian.
How current is this page?
We read Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), Division of Animal and Plant Health, Animal Health (State Veterinarian)'s notices on October 14, 2026. Whether each order is in force is worked out from its dates every time the page is rebuilt, at least once an hour, so an order never shows as in force after it ends.
We read each document ourselves and last checked this page against them on October 14, 2026. Where they disagree, we show you the disagreement instead of picking a winner quietly.
What we couldn't confirm
DACF's HPAI news goes out through its GovDelivery account (content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDACF, linked from the Animal Health page). It's a vendor host and wasn't used as a source. The December 3, 2025 bulletin wasn't read.
The sick-bird report link (reportUrl) is a Microsoft Forms page (forms.office.com) linked from DACF's HPAI page. It's a vendor host, flagged for the reviewer.
The import page's species selector is script-driven, so whether ordinary poultry need a Maine import permit (as cattle and swine do) wasn't read. Ch. 206 requires a permit only for exhibition entries and immediate-slaughter shipments. Confirm with DACF Animal Health (207-287-3701).
The 2026 checklist's NPIP 9-3 requirement is a DACF checklist with no rule citation. Ch. 206 itself requires only a PT clean rating for exhibition poultry. Recorded as DACF's 2026 check-in requirement.
Maine posts the March 27, 2026 New England memo; the May 5, 2026 update is on Connecticut's site (ct.json). Their avian paragraphs match apart from the Massachusetts sentence.
No 2026 Maine order restricting poultry shows, sales or movement was found on the DACF pages read. DACF's news archive wasn't searched beyond the Animal Health page links.
Nature: only the NWS entry restriction is an 'order'; the fair checklist, Ch. 206 and the New England advisory are standing rules (the advisory can't trigger an alert). The NWS document's date comes from its file name (dacf-nws-06292026) and DACF's June 29, 2026 bulletin title on the Animal Health page.
me-2026-nws-entry-1: No end date stated
appliesToday: NWS entry orders are marked 'unknown' where they bind only birds from a state, county or zone with a current screwworm infested or surveillance zone, because no current APHIS screwworm zone list was read. Maryland's rule names Texas and New Mexico outright, so it's marked 'yes'.
