The state’s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, has been confirmed in a non-commercial backyard flock of ducks and geese in Clackamas County, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service reported this week.
The detection was confirmed Friday, December 9. The affected flock included approximately 30 ducks and 5 chickens.
ODA personnel, in partnership with the USDA, humanely euthanized the birds on the property to prevent the spread of the disease. Officials assure that birds from the flock will not enter the food system, and there is no immediate public health concern due to the avian influenza virus detection.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk associated with these avian influenza detections in birds remains low. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees is recommended as a general food safety precaution.
ODA advises commercial poultry farms and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance. Reducing or eliminating contact between wild birds and domestic flocks is the best way to protect domestic birds from this disease.
Death or illness among domestic birds should be reported to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 or 1-800-347-7028.
Please contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for wild birds. Do not collect or handle the birds but report the incident directly to ODFW at 1-866-968-2600 or wildlife.health@odfw.oregon.gov.
For more tips on protecting your backyard flock, please visit ODA online at avian influenza or en espańol at aquí.