Scientists test far-UVC light in chicken houses to curb bird flu

Scientists are preparing to bring far-UVC lighting into chicken houses in an effort to reduce airborne viruses while birds continue living normally in the space.

Researchers at Texas A&M University are moving toward a real-world phase of a project that has studied very short-wavelength ultraviolet C light for several years. Far-UVC generally operates at about 200 to 230 nanometers, shorter than the 254-nanometer UVC commonly used for disinfection.

Conventional UVC can damage human skin and eyes during direct exposure. Far-UVC penetrates tissue less deeply, so researchers are studying whether it can be used where people or animals are present. The work comes as highly pathogenic avian influenza remains a major problem for the U.S. poultry industry. An outbreak in 2025 led to the culling of tens of millions of birds and contributed to a sharp rise in egg prices.

Earlier stages at Columbia University and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital tested far-UVC against avian influenza viruses, including H9N2 and highly pathogenic H5N1. Researchers examined its ability to inactivate viruses in air, on surfaces and in water. In one model, infected and uninfected chickens shared air but could not touch, allowing scientists to assess whether the light reduced airborne transmission risk.

The Texas A&M team, led by Professor Morgan Farnell and researcher Ziteng “Tim” Xu, plans to keep chickens at densities comparable to commercial farms. The system will measure airborne microorganisms before and after exposure. The two-year study will involve four flocks, with two studied in summer and two in winter. Researchers will track aerobic bacteria, coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as whether the lighting affects the birds’ behavior, biological rhythms, feeding or growth. Dust remains a central challenge because it can absorb or scatter far-UVC before it reaches the area being treated, so the team will measure actual radiation levels at multiple points inside the house.