Another Oregon backyard poultry farm infected with bird flu – Oregon Capital Chronicle

One other yard poultry farm in Deschutes County has misplaced its flock to chook flu

State agricultural officers mentioned the outbreak was confirmed Tuesday, marking the fourth outbreak in Deschutes County. As of Thursday, state and federal agriculture officers have “humanely euthanized” 980 birds, together with 40 chickens and geese within the newest outbreak, in line with the Oregon Division of Agriculture.

The entire Deschutes County farms with outbreaks offered eggs, however the outbreaks don’t forestall a public well being menace, state officers mentioned. Meat from the euthanized birds won’t be offered to eat. Avian influenza doesn’t have an effect on poultry meat or egg merchandise, that are suitable for eating offered they’re ready safely and cooked sufficient.

State officers have recognized 4 different outbreaks in Oregon: two in Linn County and one every in Lane and Polk counties. The virus additionally contaminated a yard flock in Idaho, near the Oregon border. 

The virus was initially present in a bald eagle in British Columbia in mid-March. Officers recognized the primary contaminated flocks in Oregon and Washington in early Could.

The virus is carried by migrating birds. The present pressure is particularly lethal to poultry. Normally, Oregon birds change into contaminated by a milder pressure, in line with Ryan Scholz, state veterinarian on the Division of Agriculture. The final time it decimated yard flocks was in 2015. It’s additionally uncommon for chook flu to have an effect on flocks effectively into summer season, specialists mentioned.

The state has established quarantine zones round affected farms to include the virus. The most recent case prompted the state to increase the quarantine zone that had encircled Bend seven miles to the center of Redmond, together with the fairgrounds. Chickens, geese, turkeys or poultry merchandise can’t be moved within the quarantine. State officers had no estimate of affected farms.

The Deschutes County Truthful and Rodeo will happen Aug. 3 by Aug. 7. Usually, the quarantine would forestall homeowners from displaying and promoting birds on the honest till Scholz inspects the world to verify the virus is contained.

Scholz received’t be capable of perform the inspection earlier than the honest, in line with a press release by the Division of Agriculture. It mentioned he’s working with Deschutes County 4-H on a plan to permit individuals to exhibit and promote birds on the honest however they received’t be capable of exhibit breeding birds.

In Oregon, no industrial poultry operations have been affected by chook flu. They often elevate chickens in massive confined areas. State agriculture officers suggested yard flock homeowners to be vigilant about biosecurity measures and surveillance. “Stopping contact between wild birds and home flocks is one of the simplest ways to guard home birds from this illness,” the division mentioned in a press release. “It solely takes a tiny little bit of contact to switch (chook flu).”

The state requested homeowners to report flocks affected by sickness or demise by calling 503-986-4711 or 800-347-7028. Residents ought to report sick or useless wild birds to the Oregon Division of Fish and Wildlife at 866-968-2600 or [email protected] The birds shouldn’t be dealt with.