US - Washington state: HP H5N2 confirmed in Benton and Okanogan County - WSDA - OIE

[sharon sanders]

For immediate release: Jan. 2, 2015 Contact: Hector Castro (360) 902-1815

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560 This news release is also available as a PDF.

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WSDA activates avian influenza response plan in Benton County

OLYMPIA — 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.”

Washington’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. 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.

http://agr.wa.gov/News/2015/15-01.aspx

[sharon sanders]

FAO - Protect People - Protect People from Avian Influenza - pdf

http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/207623/fao_hpai_messages.pdf

[Emily]

http://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/environment/2015/01/05/bird-flu-strikes-poultry-flocks-near-benton-city/21314653/

Bird flu strikes poultry flocks near Benton City

Gary Chittim, KING 5 News 8:05 p.m. PST January 5, 2015
BENTON CITY, Wash. -- State and federal agriculture teams Monday destroyed the some 100 birds that were still alive after avian flu killed 50 others in a back yard bird operation near Benton City...

I don't understand the logic of killing birds resistant to the flu. Why not breed those birds and preserve their genetics?

[Gert van der Hoek]

Bird flu suspected in second Washington flock

:January 6, 2015 11:32AM

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.

More: Capital Press

[tetano]

Avian influenza found in second Benton County backyard flock

7 January, 2015 Avian influenza has infected a second backyard flock in rural Richland, Benton County south-central Washington. The second flock was exposed to the highly pathogenic H5N2 virus by domestic ducks transferred from the first infected flock. The current flock contains 500 birds. The 500 birds in the mixed Richland flock included chickens, turkeys, ducks and guinea fowl.

http://www.poultrymed.com/Poultrymed/Templates/showpage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=178&FID=1825&PID=0&IID=22329

[Gert van der Hoek]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, United States of America

Information received on 07/01/2015 from Dr John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of America

Summary Report type Follow-up report No. 1 Date of start of the event 10/12/2014 Date of pre-confirmation of the event 15/12/2014 Report date 07/01/2015 Date submitted to OIE 07/01/2015 Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence 2004 Manifestation of disease Clinical disease Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N2 Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to a defined zone within the country Related reports Immediate notification (16/12/2014) Follow-up report No. 1 (07/01/2015)

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 Benton County, Benton, WASHINGTON Date of start of the outbreak 24/12/2014 Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided) Epidemiological unit Backyard Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Birds 178 37 37 141 0 Affected population The affected premises is a small backyard mixed free-range flock of geese, turkeys, chickens, ducks, and pigeons that are allowed access to the outdoors and regularly exposed to wild migratory waterfowl.

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Birds 178 37 37 141 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Birds 20.79% 20.79% 100.00% 100.00% *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Contact with wild species Epidemiological comments The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Departments of Agriculture and Wildlife, are continuing to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced surveillance in response to the HPAI H5N2 wild bird related event. The USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N2 in a backyard mixed flock. Preliminary results indicate that the H5N2 identified is 99% similar to the recent H5N2 isolated from the Northern pintail duck. Epidemiological investigation of backyard AIV infected premises as of 6 January 2015: • Two high risk epidemiologically linked contact backyard premises have been identified and placed under quarantine. Biological sampling for AIV has been completed and results are pending. • Enhanced surveillance in a 10 km radius has been implemented. The HPAI H5N2 virus has NOT been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States.

Control measures Measures applied Stamping out Quarantine Movement control inside the country Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)

Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) (National laboratory) Birds real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 03/01/2015 Positive National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) (National laboratory) Birds virus isolation Pending National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) (National laboratory) Birds virus sequencing 03/01/2015 Positive

Future Reporting The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Map of outbreak locations

http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wa...reportid=16914

[sharon sanders]

For immediate release: Jan. 7, 2015 Contact: Hector Castro (360) 902-1815

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560 This news release is also available as a PDF.

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WSDA sets quarantine to control poultry movement in Tri-Cities area

OLYMPIA ? The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) today adopted an emergency rule to establish a quarantine zone for avian influenza that includes parts of Benton and Franklin counties, covering an area of roughly 20 miles around two locations where avian influenza has been identified in flocks of mixed poultry and other birds.

The quarantine area restricts the movement of eggs, poultry or poultry products out of the identified zone. Exemptions will be made for operations that obtain special permits and meet specific criteria. Visitwww.agr.wa.gov/lawsrules/rulemaking for the complete rule and a detailed map.

On Jan. 2, WSDA activated a multi-agency response plan following the confirmation of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza in domestic birds in a Benton County flock. Later, a second infected flock was identified in the area. Work was completed Jan. 6 at both locations to control the spread of the virus. The joint team of WSDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials will now work to clean and disinfect the two sites.

USDA plans to increase the amount of testing of poultry and other domestic birds within an area identified as 10 kilometers around the two flocks.

WSDA has not identified any new cases of avian influenza. The virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in Washington or the United States. Washington?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.

The biggest risk continues to be the presence of two highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza (H5N2 and H5N8) in migratory wild waterfowl populations. WSDA is encouraging bird owners to protect their domestic birds from contact with wild waterfowl and remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures.

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.

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.

http://agr.wa.gov/News/2015/15-02.aspx

[Gert van der Hoek]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, United States of America

Information received on 13/01/2015 from Dr John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of America

Summary Report type Follow-up report No. 2 Date of start of the event 10/12/2014 Date of pre-confirmation of the event 15/12/2014 Report date 13/01/2015 Date submitted to OIE 13/01/2015 Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence 2004 Manifestation of disease Clinical disease Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N2 Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to a defined zone within the country Related reports Immediate notification (16/12/2014) Follow-up report No. 1 (07/01/2015) Follow-up report No. 2 (13/01/2015)

Outbreaks There are no new outbreaks in this report

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Contact with wild species Epidemiological comments The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Departments of Agriculture and Wildlife, are continuing to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced surveillance in response to the HPAI H5N2 wild bird related event. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has also implemented a quarantine zone around the affected backyard flocks. Enhanced surveillance and epidemiological investigation of backyard AIV infected premises as of 12 January 2015: - Two high risk epidemiologically linked backyard premises identified: -- One adjacent high risk epidemiologically linked contact backyard premises has shown no signs of AIV and has tested negative for avian influenza on initial testing. -- The second high risk epidemiologically linked contact backyard premises received birds (ducks) directly from the index backyard premises. Case definition of HPAI has been met based upon clinical signs and preliminary laboratory results. Birds on this contact backyard premises have been depopulated and the premises will be cleaned and disinfected. The HPAI H5N2 virus has NOT been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States.

Control measures Measures applied Stamping out Quarantine Movement control inside the country Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s) Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied No other measures

Future Reporting The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

[Gert van der Hoek]

For immediate release: Jan. 9, 2015 Contact: Hector Castro (360) 902-1815

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560

WSDA sends team to SE Washington to assist in avian influenza response

OLYMPIA — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has dispatched an incident management team to Washington in support of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) response efforts to the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Benton County.

In December, avian influenza was detected in wild birds in Whatcom County as a result of heightened surveillance following the Canadian outbreak in British Columbia. Two separate virus strains were identified: H5N2 in a northern pintail duck and H5N8 in a captive gyrfalcon that was fed wild waterfowl.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N2 has since been identified in two flocks in Benton County. Both flocks have been humanely euthanized, with cleaning and disinfection ongoing at the sites. State and federal agencies are conducting outreach in the immediate area aimed at backyard bird owners encouraging them to practice good biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of spreading the disease by preventing contact between their birds and wild waterfowl.

Backyard bird owners are also urged to monitor their flock closely and report sick or dead birds to the WSDA Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056 or USDA at 1-866-536-7593.

A quarantine is currently in place in parts of Benton and Franklin counties to restrict the movement of poultry and poultry products by order of WSDA. Visit www.agr.wa.gov/lawsrules/rulemaking for the complete quarantine rule and a detailed map. 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.

This USDA team will conduct surveillance and voluntary testing of birds in backyard flocks focusing on a 3 kilometer area around each infected premises, starting as early as Saturday, Jan. 10. Surveillance within the remainder of the quarantined area will be based much more on reports of sick or dead birds. The purpose of testing is to confirm that this finding is an isolated event and to assure U.S. trade partners the disease is not a threat to commercial poultry exports.

Movement of poultry and poultry products within and out of any area under quarantine may be allowed under permit when extraordinary circumstances exist. For information on that process, contact WSDA at 1-800-606-3056 or by email atahealth@agr.wa.gov.

It is important to note that there is no immediate public health concern with either the H5N2 virus nor the H5N8 virus detected in Washington State. The virus has been found in other parts of the world and has not caused any human infection to date. Also, the virus has not been detected in commercial poultry operations in Washington nor anywhere else in the U.S.

[Emily]

January 12, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Feds arrive to monitor outbreaks of avian flu in Benton County

Posted by Lisa Cowan
The Wenatchee World
RICHLAND — A federal team of bird flu experts has been sent to Benton County to ensure proper disposal of two infected flocks and promote biosecurity measures to reduce risk of spreading the disease...

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/...-page-subtitle

[AlaskaDenise]

Samples from Benton County flocks come back negative for avian flu

No new cases of avian flu have been detected in backyard poultry and waterfowl in Benton County. Veterinarians and technicians from the U.S. and Washington state departments of agriculture have visited nearly 730 properties near the homes of the Richland and Benton City flocks that were diagnosed with avian influenza.

Samples have been taken from birds at 66 different properties. So far, all of the samples submitted have been negative for avian influenza.
The tests are part of precautionary measures taken by the state and federal departments to make sure the highly contagious and deadly form of avian influenza has been contained. This form of avian flu is not contagious to humans.

Chickens, turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl and other birds belonging to a Benton City backyard flock and a Richland flock were euthanized last week to control the spread of disease. More than 700 birds from the two flocks — which had direct contact with each other — died in the last few weeks.
It’s likely the Benton City flock contracted avian influenza from migrating wild waterfowl, which are known carriers of the disease.


.

[BestlaStormcrow]

What is the delineation between backyard and commercial flocks?

I'm in Washington state and there are a number of free range egg/poultry operations in my area that have large flocks (500-1000+) that have moveable electro-netting on the sides, but no top enclosure. These farms sell products in many grocery stores and to restaurants, so they are a different story than my farmgate egg sales from my flock of 40 or so.

We also have many of the industrial chicken warehouses that have more security (cars can't just drive in) but I often see the sides and doors open. Maybe that is for cleaning purposes though, between flocks.

[Gert van der Hoek]

January 30, 2015 at 9:30 AM

Poultry quarantine in Okanogan County for avian flu

OLYMPIA — The state Department of Agriculture imposed a poultry quarantine Thursday in part of Okanogan County after avian flu was discovered in turkeys and pheasants.

The quarantine restricts the movement of eggs and poultry within six miles of the site where the flu was detected in the game birds.

[Pathfinder]

Another New Case Of Bird Flu Pops Up In Northern Wash. State

By ANNA KING ? 31 MINUTES AGO

...This one is a hobby and 4-H program flock in Oroville, Washington, not far from the Canadian border.

It?s mostly chickens and waterfowl. Another, larger flock 40 miles south in Riverside, Washington is on the chopping block as early as Tuesday.

USDA and Washington state vets and technicians will be euthanizing the 5,000-bird flock in Riverside over a couple of days...
...

http://www.kplu.org/post/another-new-case-bird-flu-pops-northern-wash-state

[Pathfinder]

For immediate release:
Feb. 3, 2015

Contact: Hector Castro
(360) 902-1815 WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560

Second quarantine set in Okanogan County to control poultry movement

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) yesterday adopted an emergency rule to establish a second quarantine zone in Okanogan County, covering an area of roughly six miles around a site in Oroville where avian influenza was confirmed in a flock of mixed poultry and other birds.

The quarantine restricts the movement of eggs, poultry or poultry products out of the identified zone with exemptions made for operations that obtain special permits and meet specific criteria. Visit www.agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking to view the complete rule and a map of the quarantine area.

WSDA received test results on Saturday, Jan. 31 that found the flock was infected with the avian influenza virus, though additional tests will be needed to identify the specific strain. This second infected flock consists of about 100 birds, with at least half already succumbing to the disease.

The quarantine is the second established quarantine in Okanogan County. The agency established the first quarantine on Jan. 29 in an area around Riverside where a flock of nearly 5,000 mixed birds has been confirmed as positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2. A team of veterinarians from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and WSDA are working on response plans for both flocks.
Currently, WSDA has a third avian influenza quarantine zone in place in Clallam County, a response to an infected flock discovered there. Tests on birds from flocks in the surrounding area have all come back negative for avian influenza.

Because migratory wild waterfowl populations can carry the disease, including the highly-pathogenic strains of avian influenza (H5N2 and H5N8), WSDA is encouraging bird owners to protect their domestic birds from contact with wild waterfowl and remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures.

There is no immediate public health concern due to the avian influenza virus detected, however public health officials routinely contact owners of infected flocks as a precaution. 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.

http://agr.wa.gov/News/2015/15-08.aspx