Bird Flu Reported In Oregon Washington

The Highly Parthenogenic Avian Influenza has been reported in both Oregon and Washington. Officials with the Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed the cases late last week that a Linn County backyard flock. Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian, said the owner reported three geese that exhibited neurological and respiratory signs, and then suddenly died.

“That flock, which totaled about 100 adult birds and a handful of juveniles as well, was depopulated and humanely euthanized.  The farm is being cleaned and disinfected.”

In addition, late last week, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced HPAI had been discovered in Pacific County. WSDA announced a second case, this in Spokane County, over the weekend. The Washington state veterinarian quarantined the affected premise and birds on the property have been euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

Scholz is reminding poultry owners to be cautious and focus on good biosecurity.

“Because of the way this virus spreads - and the fact that it spreads directly from waterfowl as they’re migrating through - we’re trying to do a lot of outreach and get our Sick Bird Hotline out there. So anyone who may have sick or dead birds can give us a call.”

If you come across a sick or dying bird in your flock, or in the wild, do not touch it, but contact your state department of Ag as soon as possible.

HPAI was reported in two Idaho counties last month.

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