Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to spread in Oregon, but ODA says virus doesn’t affect food products

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory recently confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a Clackamas County commercial poultry operation with about 150,000 birds.

The affected birds were euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease and did not enter the food system. Avian influenza does not affect properly cooked poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe. HPAI is also considered low risk to human health, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The confirmation at the commercial poultry operations initiated a state-federal response between the Oregon Department of Agriculture and USDA. ODA works closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on a joint incident response and action plan.

State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz issued a regional quarantine around the operation to prevent the movement of poultry and poultry products from within the affected area, giving state and federal staff time to conduct surveillance to ensure no additional cases of HPAI exist.

The USDA tracks the number of cases nationwide, and the most recent report says since the start of the outbreak February 8, 2022, 104 million birds have been affected by HPAI in 48 states.

ODA is also working with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Clackamas County Public Health to ensure the farm personnel have proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and to provide public health resources.

For details on the quarantine area, ODA provides an online map. In addition to the map, the online tool allows people to enter their address to determine whether their property is included in the quarantine area. ODA will lift the quarantine as regional surveillance is complete. Temporary rules establishing quarantine and movement restrictions for HIPAI. 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock. ODA continues to advise commercial poultry farmers and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance.

Biosecurity measures can include:

• Wash your hands before and after handling your flock
• Cleaning vehicles tools or equipment
• Limiting unnecessary visitors
• Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths
• Changing clothes upon contact with birds and more

For more tips on protecting your backyard flock, please visit the ODA online at Avian Influenza or en Español at Avian Influenza – Spanish.

Death or illness among domestic birds should be immediately reported to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (Alt Phone: 1-800-347-7028).

Please contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) for wild birds. Do not collect or handle the birds but report the incident directly to ODFW at 866-968-2600 or Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov.