Oregon Prepares for Avian Influenza Season

As the weather cools, wild birds begin their migration south with many flying over the Northwest.

Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Mariah Crawford said the area survived last winter with no cases and she hopes the success can continue with pre-planning.

“People are asking more questions. I think people are more comfortable with the idea of biosecurity. I think before it was a little bit of a black box. Producers didn’t really understand how to protect their birds and maybe a little bit concerned that, if they started to ask those questions, they would be regulated in some way, shape, or form.”

The ODA’s message is about keeping wild fowl separated from domestic birds.

Crawford said that extends even to backyard bird owners.

“We, unfortunately, see some intermixing of wild waterfowl with our domestic poultry, which is exactly what we are trying to prevent– especially in backyard settings where there are ponds and chickens are walking around interacting with our wild waterfowl species.”

ODA says simple, common sense steps, such as not enticing wild fowl onto your property, can go a long way in preventing avian influenza.