Idaho?

[Chickenhill]

Bird Flu is in Idaho:

Hey all, here is an email I sent to our IBBA members

Hello All,

I received a phone call today from Dr. Scott Leibsle at the Dept of Agriculture, there has been a confirmed case of H5/H8 Avian Influenza (bird Flu) in Idaho. The bird the sample was taken from was a duck. The press release should come out this weekend. The Dept of Agriculture in all affected western states are putting together a plan of action to combat the spreading disease. I was assured they would keep all NPIP certified farms in the loop. As more information is available it will be passed onto the club members and other idaho bird lovers.

Dr Leibsle did say the primary source is waterfowl. It does take direct contact for the disease to spread. This means food, water, and any dirt that may be contaminated by feces.... If you live in a direct flight path of waterfowl you, may want to keep your birds in the coop...

Best to all,

Tisha Martinsek
Chicken Hill Poultry
http://www.chickenhillpoultry.com

 

[Odelia]

Thank you for posting the warning about the bird flu.

 

[Chickenhill]

Thank you for posting the warning about the bird flu.

Sure thing. Sorry to be the person to bring bad news....

 

[Birdrain92]

Lucky for me water birds don't come near my house during this time of year. Isn't that it can only spread by contact with the bird?

 

[Feathyr]

Does anyone happen to know what part of the state the infected bird was taken from? I assume that information would have been in the e-mail but I'll throw the question out here anyway.

 

[Chickenhill]

I believe it was in the treasure valley but not positive.... I am sure that will come out in the press release.

The first bird affected was a waterfowl however, it can be ANY bird that has it. Yes, direct contact...

 

[Feathyr]

Hopefully it stays down there (or wherever it is) then. Not that I want flock owners in the affected area to contract it, I just don't want it spreading throughout the state. Thank you for the heads up.

 

[Chickenhill]

I sent this attachment out to the IBBA members in our monthly news letter.

Idaho Bird Breeders, NPIP participants, extension educators, 4H
and adult bird exhibitors:
In an effort to keep Idaho bird breeder industry folks updated on the Avian Influenza cases occurring in
the Northwest Below
is a USDA news release about a new Avian Influenza incident in a backyard Oregon flock that
had exposure to migrating waterfowl (ducks, geese). Please take precautions against mingling of your
birds with wild ducks/geese or their manure.
Feel free to forward this email to interested parties.
1/2/2015 Outlook.com Print Message
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Marilyn M. Simunich, DVM, Dipl. ACVPM
Director, Animal Health Laboratory
Division of Animal Industries
Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture
2230 Old Penitentiary Rd.
Boise, ID 83712
208.332.8570
[email protected]
From: APHIS Veterinary Services [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 11:10 AM
To: Dr. Marilyn Simunich
Subject: NOTICE: H5N8 Found in Backyard Poultry in Oregon

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/e44982

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5N8 avian influenza in guinea fowl and
chickens from a small backyard poultry flock in Winston, Oregon. The flock of approximately 100 birds has
access to the outdoors. A pond and a marsh on the premises are frequented by migratory birds.
The H5N8 virus has NOT been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States.
1/2/2015 Outlook.com Print Message
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There is no immediate public health concern, as the H5N8 virus has been found in birds in other parts of the
world and has not caused any human infection to date.
Surveillance for avian influenza is ongoing in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets, and in
migratory wild bird populations. Additionally, commercial poultry producers follow strict biosecurity
practices and raise their birds in very controlled environments. Birds from the affected backyard flock will
not enter the food chain. All poultry, poultry products and wild birds are safe to eat as long as they are
properly handled and cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The finding in Oregon was quickly reported and identified due to increased awareness of avian influenza in
light of the HPAI H5 findings in wild birds in Washington State earlier this week. This H5N8 virus is the
same virus that was found in the Washington State gyrfalcons.
Oregon State officials and USDA are working jointly to respond to this detection, following existing HPAI
response plans. The State of Oregon quarantined the affected premises, and APHIS will assist the State in
depopulating the remaining birds to prevent the spread of the disease. Additional surveillance of poultry
around the infected premises will be conducted as outlined in the response plans.
USDA notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of this detection today as required by the
OIE. USDA expects trading partners to respond to this reported detection according to OIE’s sciencebased
standards. USDA is working with trading partners to minimize trade impacts on poultry and poultry
products as much as possible.
All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, are encouraged to practice good
biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and to report sick birds or unusual bird
deaths to State/Federal officials, either through your state veterinarian or through USDA’s tollfree
number
at 18665367593.
Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at
healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov
USDA is coordinating closely with its partners, including Washington and Oregon State officials, the U.S.
Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on avian influenza
surveillance, reporting, and control.
Questions for

 

[Chickenhill]

Here is one more press release...http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/2014/SA_WA_avian_influenza.pdf I will stop bombarding ya'll now

 

[TheChickenQueen]

Thankfully there are no waterfowl around here I have to drive a little ways to see any.

My flock should be safe