Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Washington

News Release from WSDA – January 27, 2015

Avian flu quarantine lifted in Benton and Franklin counties

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) today lifted a quarantine that had been in place in parts of Benton and Franklin counties, 21 days after an emergency rule was adopted to enact the quarantine and restrict the movement of eggs, poultry or poultry products in the zone.

WSDA has determined that the avian influenza detected in the two Benton County backyard flocks in December does not appear to have spread beyond those two sites. To reach this conclusion, a team of veterinarians with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and WSDA visited approximately 1,800 premises in the quarantine area and tested samples from birds at more than 70 locations. All samples tested negative for avian influenza.

As a result of this action and lifting of the quarantine, there are no longer restrictions on the movement of poultry or poultry products within the areas of Benton or Franklin counties.

Such restrictions remain in place in parts of Clallam County, were a second quarantine was established after a flock was confirmed infected with the H5N2 avian influenza virus on Jan. 16, 2015. Visit www.agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking for the complete rule and a map of the Clallam County quarantine zone.

None of the viruses detected in Washington have been associated with human illnesses and there is no immediate public health concern. However, public health officials have contacted owners of identified infected flocks as a precaution.

The virus has not been detected in any commercial poultry operations in Washington. The state’s commercial poultry industry has a robust avian influenza testing program and WSDA conducts weekly surveillance testing and health inspections at live bird markets in the state.

Although the quarantine has been lifted, the risk of exposure to avian influenza still remains. Because migratory wild waterfowl populations can carry the disease, particularly the highly-pathogenic strains of avian influenza, WSDA urges bird owners to protect their domestic birds from contact with wild waterfowl and remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures.

Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat. As always, both wild and domestic poultry should be properly cooked.

Deaths or illness among domestic birds should be reported to the WSDA Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056. For wild birds, contact the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-606-8768.

News Release from WSDA – January 9, 2015

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has activated a multi-agency response plan following the confirmation of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in domestic birds in Benton County. WSDA will work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) in this response. There is no immediate public health concern due to the avian influenza virus detected. Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat. As always, both wild and domestic poultry should be properly cooked. The H5 avian influenza virus was confirmed by the Washington State University’s Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman. It was found in birds from a backyard poultry flock near Benton City. The flock of approximately 150 birds includes domestic waterfowl with access to the outdoors. There is also a pond on the premises frequented by migratory birds. The virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in Washington or the United States.

The bird owner contacted WSDA after experiencing the loss of nearly 50 birds in the past week. The virus is similar to the virus found in a Washington captive gyrfalcon last month, although additional testing is being conducted to further identify the strain of the disease.

WSDA is advising commercial poultry growers and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance. “We have a vigorous response plan but this development demonstrates how important good biosecurity can be, especially for backyard bird owners,” state veterinarian Dr. Joe Baker said. “We have not diagnosed the virus anywhere else in our domestic poultry population, but the presence of the virus in migratory waterfowl is a risk to backyard poultry. One step owners should take is preventing contact between their birds and wild birds.”

Information on HPAI

The WSDA veterinarians are very busy working with the USDA to control the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in backyard birds in Washington. How are they doing this? First, they are testing and euthanizing affected birds/flocks. Second, they are assisting with cleaning and disinfection of affected premises. Third, they set up a quarantine zone that limits animals and product movements. From the WSDA website: “Birds affected by this quarantine include domestic fowl and game birds that are raised in confinement such as chickens, turkeys, ratites, waterfowl, pigeons, doves, guineafowl, peafowl, pheasants, partridge, chukars, quail, and grouse of all ages and their hatching eggs. Poultry products include any poultry commodity or material that can spread HPAI including meat (fresh or frozen), blood or meal, feathers, litter/manure and eggs.”

What are the signs of HPAI? The clinical signs of birds affected with all forms of AI may show one or more of the following: Sudden death without clinical signs; Lack of energy and appetite; Decreased egg production; Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks; Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs; Nasal discharge; Coughing, sneezing; Lack of coordination; and Diarrhea. If you see any of these conditions in your birds, call the WSDA at 1-800-606-3056 or USDA at 1-866-536-7593. For more on WHAT IS AI? See the USDA website for pictures of affected birds and more on the disease. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/AI/DownDown

Downloadable videos and information are located at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/about/downloads.htm

For disease prevention in birds, see the USDA site on biosecurity for the birds. There are several videos on keeping birds healthy as well as keeping things clean: http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/ and for a booklet: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/2014/pub_bioguide_poultry_bird.pdf

Simple things to remember about disease prevention (from USDA) are:

• Keep your distance-Isolate your birds from visitors and other birds. [Keep your birds from being affected by wild birds or their feces.]
• Keep it clean-Prevent germs from spreading by cleaning shoes, tools and equipment.
• Don’t haul disease home-Also clean vehicles and cages.
• Don’t borrow disease from your neighbor-Avoid sharing tools and equipment with neighbors.
• Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases-Watch for early signs to prevent the spread of disease
• Report sick birds-Report unusual signs of disease or unexpected deaths.
• Making biosecurity a part of your daily routine while caring for your birds can decrease the chance of AI showing up on your doorstep.

WSU Extension is working with WSDA to alert and educate all communities of this recent outbreak. As conditions of this outbreak can change rapidly, please visit the WSDA news release website at http://agr.wa.gov/news/2015/ for the latest information. On their site, you can also subscribe to the WSDA AGRINEWS list serve to have news releases immediately emailed to you.