Avian flu found in backyard birds near Tumalo

The Oregon Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture, said Friday it is responding to a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a flock of backyard birds near Tumalo.

ODA, working with the USDA’s Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is in the process of setting up a quarantine zone around the property to restrict movement of domestic birds in and out of the area. Currently, the property is secured and there have been no additional detections of HPAI in the area.

The flock of about 90 mixedpoultry and other domestic birds includes chickens, ducks, and turkeys thathave had access to a couple of ponds on the property that are also frequentedby migratory wild waterfowl.

Avian influenza naturally resides in wildbirdsand it is fairly common for waterfowl to carry various strains of the virus.HPAI has also been reported in backyard birds in Washington and Idaho, and inwild birds in all three Pacific Northwest states.

Department spokesman Bruce Pokarney said, “The virus strains we’ve seen in the Pacific Northwest these last couple of months have been found in other parts of the world and have never been known to cause any human infection to date.”

“Also,” he said, “there has never been a confirmed case in the U.S. of a person becoming ill from any form of avian influenza.”

The Deschutes Countydetection is the second in Oregon. HPAI was detected in a flock of backyardbirds in Douglas County in December.

Oregonians are reminded thatthe HPAI virus strains currently detected in Oregon and the other statesrepresent low risk to public health. The virus has not been detected incommercial poultry operations in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. Avian influenzadoes 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 areencouraged to practice good biosecurity and to take steps that prevent contactbetween their birds and wild birds. They also should monitor their flockclosely and report sick or dead birds to ODA at 1-800-347-7028.

The OregonDepartment of Fish and Wildlife is asking people to report wild bird deaths bycalling 1-866-968-2600. People should avoid contact with sick or dead wild anddomestic birds.

For more information on avianinfluenza and biosecurity measures, go to <http://bit.do/ORbirdflu>.