Avian Influenza

With cases of bird flu in cattle reported across the western U.S., as well as cases in pigs and humans here in the Northwest, health officials are watching the H5N1 strain very closely.  But, why is this strain so devastating for domestic birds?   ...

State officials say they are not changing their approach to bird flu, despite the recent report of Oregon’s first human case of the virus.  Monitoring continues at a Clackamas County poultry farm, after a worker tested positive for H5N1.  The Oregon He...

Since 2022, the U.S. poultry industry has been battling a particularly persistent strain of H5N1, or avian influenza, and more than 100 million birds have been affected over the past 2.5 years.   “Avian influenza continues to be a problem," said Bernt Nelson,  economist with the American Farm Bureau.  "We've had 3....

South Dakota-based animal health vaccine manufacturer Medgene says it has received approval from the Department of Agriculture to commence testing a vaccine for H5N1 in cattle.   "This is great news for us, for the CVB (USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics) and more importantly, the dairy industry,” says Medgene Chief Operating Officer Tom Halbur. “Our tech...

Several important events have happened this week in the ongoing avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. Here's what you need to know.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) identified today highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a Cassia County dairy cattle operation.

Cattle in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico have been infected with a strain of the avian flu, raising new concerns about the disease's spread.

As of November 17, 2023, Oregon has new confirmed cases of avian influenza, resulting in the euthanization of almost 790,000 birds.

Authorities say there is a very low risk to humans

A U.S. farm group is asking the Federal Trade Commission to look into the high prices of eggs and possible price gouging.  Farm Action is a farmer-led advocacy organization that sent a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan to share their concerns over “apparent price gouging.”  They point o...