Oregon County Maintains Bird Flu Response

US - There have been no further avian influenza outbreaks in poultry but Oregon State Department of Agriculture is continuing its bird flu response in Deschutes County.
calendar icon 25 February 2015
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Oregon Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture, continues its response to a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a flock of backyard birds near Tumalo in Deschutes County. The flock has been humanely euthanised and disposed of, and the premises has been cleaned and disinfected. State and federal agencies are conducting outreach in the immediate area aimed at backyard bird owners encouraging them to practice good biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of spreading the disease – largely by preventing contact between their birds and wild birds.

There have been no new detections of HPAI in Deschutes County.

Poultry and poultry products have been restricted from movement into or out of a quarantine zone established by order of the Oregon Department of Agriculture to prevent the spread of HPAI in Oregon. Commercially prepared food products destined for grocery outlets are not included in the order. Movement of poultry and poultry products may be allowed under permit. A permit may be obtained by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture at 1-800-347-7028 for instructions. To see a map detailing the quarantine zone, click here.

The Deschutes County flock included about 90 mixed poultry and other domestic birds that had access to a couple of ponds on the property frequented by migratory wild waterfowl. Avian influenza naturally resides in wild waterfowl and it is fairly common for them to carry various strains of the virus. HPAI has also been reported in backyard birds in Washington and Idaho, and in wild birds in all three Pacific Northwest states.

The Deschutes County detection in domestic birds is the second in Oregon. HPAI was detected in a flock of backyard birds in Douglas County in December.

Oregonians are reminded that the HPAI virus strains currently detected in Oregon and the other states represent low risk to public health. The virus has not been detected in commercial poultry operations in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat. As always, both wild and domestic poultry should be properly cooked.

Backyard bird owners should monitor their flock closely and report sick or dead birds to ODA at 1-800-347-7028. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking people to report wild bird deaths by calling 1-866-968-2600. People should avoid contact with sick or dead wild and domestic birds.

For more information on avian influenza and biosecurity measures, click here.

Further Reading

You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.

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