Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are preparing to test far-UVC light to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry houses without harming birds, following a devastating outbreak that drove up egg prices and forced farmers to cull tens of millions of animals.
Testing Far-UVC Light in Real-World Conditions
The upcoming trials mark the third and final phase of a multiyear study starting in February, according to Morgan Farnell, an avian microbiology and immunology professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program leader and associate department head in the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science. Farnell is leading the project alongside Ziteng “Tim” Xu, an AgriLife Research smart technologies in poultry production scientist and assistant professor.
Far-UVC light differs from conventional germicidal UV light because it inactivates viruses and bacteria without penetrating deeply enough to damage human or animal skin and eyes. Previous work by researchers from the Columbia University Center for Radiological Research and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital established baseline effectiveness using a specialized isolator. However, Farnell noted that those isolators are small and do not represent the real world.
“We’ll stock birds at commercial density and test it at Texas A&M,” Farnell said.
During the trials at the Barbara J. Huffman and William M. “Bill” Huffman ’53 Poultry Science Farm Complex, researchers will use air-sampling equipment to measure indicator organisms. These include aerobic bacteria, coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus, before and after exposure to inform the technology’s potential impact on pathogens like HPAI.
Engineering Challenges and Bird Behavior Monitoring
Deploying ultraviolet technology in a dusty environment presents significant hurdles. Dust can absorb or scatter far-UVC light before it reaches spaces occupied by the animals, requiring Xu’s team to measure precisely how much radiation reaches target areas.
To evaluate the impact on livestock, researchers will use artificial intelligence-assisted camera tracking. This setup monitors whether the ultraviolet light affects the behavior, circadian rhythms and growth performance of the chickens.
Xu is also designing an integrated disinfection system combining far-UVC air treatment with UVC-enabled positive-pressure ventilation and robotic floor-disinfection modules. If successful, Xu noted that researchers could eventually expand the technology beyond poultry facilities to swine and dairy operations.
Economic Pressures and the Future of Poultry Health
The ongoing HPAI outbreak began around 2022 and continues to appear in Texas wildlife, though it is not considered endemic in the U.S. and remains a reportable poultry disease. The persistent virus has left producers searching for new biosecurity defenses.
The poultry industry has moved away from using antibiotics over the past decade, while vaccinating broilers for avian influenza presents distinct challenges, according to Farnell. Any new intervention must maintain flock productivity to make economic sense for farmers, as fewer infections reduce mortality and economic losses across the supply chain.
“Anything to improve bird health improves animal welfare and ultimately creates better outcomes for producers,” Farnell said.
The two-year study will span four flocks—two raised under summer conditions and two under winter conditions. Funding is provided through a $2 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service grant from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge award.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is far-UVC light?
Far-UVC light is a form of ultraviolet light that inactivates viruses and bacteria without penetrating deeply enough to harm the skin or eyes of humans and animals.
Why is far-UVC being tested in poultry houses?
Researchers are testing the technology to reduce airborne pathogen loads—including highly pathogenic avian influenza—at commercial stocking densities without disrupting bird health or productivity.
Who is funding the Texas A&M study?
The project is supported by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service through the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge award.
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