h5n1

New research from Oregon State University shows wild birds continue to be the biggest carriers of avian influenza.  Wastewater detections of bird flu are highest in or near communities with important wild bird habitats, according to the new OSU study, meaning detections of the virus in wastewater does not automatically signal human cases.  Multnom...

The Trump administration is preparing to move away from depopulating entire flocks infected by bird flu.  The focus will instead be on biosecurity and medication to contain the outbreaks.   Reuters reported last week that the USDA has given conditional approval to Zoetis to use its bird flu vaccine in poultry.  Zoetis, whic...

On Tuesday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the first case of bird flu in Mason County, northwest of Olympia.  The H5N1 case was discovered in a small backyard flock of ducks last week, but wasn't confirmed until Monday February 10th.   ...

The United States reported its first outbreak of H5N9 bird flu in poultry on a duck farm in California.  Reuters said that authorities also detected the more common H5N1 strain on the same farm in Merced County, California.  By December 2nd, almost 119,000 birds on the farm had been killed.   In ad...

On Friday, the Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed that a Washington County cat had tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza, more specifically avian influenza type A H5N1.  ODA said the outdoor cat with a history of exposure to wild waterfowl was examined by a veterinarian after exhibiting symptoms, including a fever, runny nose and eyes, lethargy, difficulty breathing and los

On Friday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture reported the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza for 2025.  WSDA confirmed the case of bird flu in a commercial flock in Franklin County.  The large operation reported high numbers of sudden death in their chickens at one of their farms on January 22nd.  In addition, othe...

The USDA’s latest effort to get an idea of how far spread Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is in the nation’s dairy herd is about a month old.  That is the second federal order involving milk testing for the H5N1 strain.  Alex Turner of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health inspection Service said the department’s effort includes 28 states enrolled since the start of the month, consisting of nearly 65%

While there’s not much, there is still time for producers suffering losses last year due to specific disasters and adverse conditions to apply for USDA's Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm Raised Fish Program, better known as ELAP.  Far...

Portland-based Morasch Meats is recalling its Northwest Naturals 2lb Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food, after samples tested positive for H5N1.  The Oregon Department of Agriculture say it was this pet food that led to the death of an indoor cat in Washington County.    “We...

Shoppers were buying more eggs to bake Christmas treats ahead of the holiday season at the same time U.S. wholesale egg prices were up 150 percent from last year.  Reuters said the average retail price of a dozen eggs surpassed $3.60 in November, that’s $2.50 higher ...