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First reports of avian flu in the U.S.

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    Posted: January 06 2015 at 2:40pm
This marks the beginning of a long road ahead with HPAI H5N2 in the U.S.

 

Bird flu suspected in second Washington flock

Don Jenkins

Capital Press

Bird flu has spread to a second backyard flock in Benton County in south-central Washington.

Bird flu has apparently infected a second backyard flock in the Tri-Cities area of south-central Washington, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

The second flock was exposed to the highly pathogenic H5N2 virus by domestic ducks transferred from the first infected flock, WSDA said.

The 100 birds in the first flock — a collection of ducks, chickens and turkeys — were euthanized Monday. The 500 birds in the second flock will be euthanized today, WSDA spokesman Hector Castro said.

Bird flu has not been confirmed in the second flock, but birds are dying at an unusual rate, he said. “All the signs are this flock was infected,” Castro said.

The ducks were moved between the flocks, which are about 9 miles apart, around Christmas, before bird flu was detected around New Year’s Eve in the first flock, Castro said.

The flock owners know each other and exchange birds, he said.

WSDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials have set up surveillance zones within about 6 miles of the two flocks. Officials planned to look for other signs of bird flu cases.

Castro said backyard flocks are common in the area.

Officials suspect the first flock was infected by migratory waterfowl. A wild duck and captive gyrfalcon that was fed wild duck were infected by highly pathogenic avian influenza in December.

Also in December, a 100-bird backyard flock in Winston in southern Oregon on property with a pond and marsh was infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Bird flu has not been detected in U.S. commercial poultry, but the infections in backyard flocks has cost the United States its designation as a country free of highly pathogenic bird flu. Several countries have restricted U.S. poultry imports.

Avian flu has been found in several commercial poultry operations in British Columbia, Canada.

Highly pathogenic bird flu had never been detected before in Washington or Oregon and hadn’t been seen in the United States for a decade.

Backyard flock owners will be compensated for euthanized birds through a USDA program.

WSDA officials say that the greatest risk for bird flu spreading is from migratory waterfowl coming in contact with domestic birds. Officials advised flock owners to keep their birds away from wild birds.

To report sick or dead domestic birds to the WSDA, call 1-800-606-3056.

http://www.capitalpress.com/Washington/20150106/bird-flu-suspected-in-second-washington-flock
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