On July 19, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the US Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) confirmed the state's ninth detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial flock in Deschutes County. The flock of approximately 40 birds, is a mix of chickens and ducks. Like the previous three Deschutes County cases, this farm sold eggs and is classified as poultry by federal definitions and will require another expansion of the quarantine zone.

The latest confirmed case of HPAI in the Bend area will expand the existing quarantine area by approximately seven miles running right through the middle of Redmond, including the fairgrounds. The Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo begins August 3 and runs through August 7. ODA's State Veterinarian, Dr. Ryan Scholz says surveillance will not be done before the county fair begins but he is working with Deschutes County 4-H on a plan that will allow participants to exhibit and sell market birds but a show for breeding birds it is not possible during fair this year.

Related: Nevada records first bird flu case

The regional quarantine encompasses the city of Bend and much of the surrounding area. For your convenience, ODA provides an online map of the quarantined sites in Oregon. People may also enter their address using the online tool to determine whether their property is included in the quarantine area. The purpose of the quarantine is to prevent the movement of poultry and poultry products from within the affected area giving state and federal officials time to conduct surveillance to ensure no additional cases of HPAI exist. The quarantine also applies to importing all birds from states where a state or federal quarantine is in place.

In partnership with ODA, the USDA humanely euthanized the chickens and ducks on the property to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system. There is no immediate public concern due to the avian influenza virus detection. Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat. As always, both wild and domestic poultry should be adequately prepared and cooked.

Related: Washington leads nation in backyard HPAI cases

ODA advises commercial poultry farmers and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance. Preventing contact between wild birds and domestic flocks is the best way to protect domestic birds from this disease. It only takes a tiny bit of contact to transfer HPAI. Death or illness among domestic birds should be reported as ODA. 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  [email protected].

Source: Oregon Department of Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.