[COLOR=008000]sharing to keep us all informed. No need to panic. Informed is the best way to protect the flock.[/COLOR] On Friday, January 23, 2015 5:29 PM, "American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc." COLOR][/U][/URL]> wrote:
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[COLOR=FF0000][COLOR=0000FF]e-Alert[/COLOR][/COLOR]
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Avian Influenza Update
Washington
The AU has been in contact with officials within the Washington Department of Agriculture Avian Health Program to discuss the recent testing. They advise the virus continues to evolve and they are cautious of all avian species.
At this time, they advise there is only one county under quarantine. Further, they say they are already lifting the quarantine in Benton and will keep premises under surveillance, not quarantine. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has discretion to quarantine or lift quarantine as they deem appropriate. They also estimate the one county under quarantine should only be restricted for two months. Of course, they can't predict with 100% certainty but that is the estimate at this point. This is all subject to change based on their efforts in the near future. They have found H5N8, HPN2 AND HPN1 in waterfowl and domestic poultry in three areas. State officials indicate there is to be no movement within the area, nor will they allow birds to be shipped out of the quarantine areas. If birds are shipped into the area, they will immediately go into quarantine.
[COLOR=0000FF]Idaho[/COLOR] The AU office also spoke with the Avian Specialist for Idaho Department of Agriculture. They have detected H5N2 at two locations. One is that of a falconer. The second was in a backyard poultry flock. They implemented the control zone to mitigate the spread of the virus. Idaho has a very large poultry industry so they follow International trade agreements. Trade agreements mandate a 10 kilometer zone around an affected facility. They are currently requesting voluntary testing of seemingly healthy birds and require testing of sick birds. While they agree pigeons are not necessarily susceptible, they are also being cautious as strains can mutate. In order to remain in compliance with their own quarantine guidelines, they will not allow movement of pigeons at this time either. No shipping in or out of the quarantine zone is allowed. The zone encompasses Parma, ID. They are not able to advise of duration of the quarantine at this time. We will provide updates as received.
[COLOR=0000FF]Washington State Department of Agriculture[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0066CC]http://agr.wa.gov/ [/COLOR];
[COLOR=0000FF]Idaho State Department of Agriculture[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0066CC]http://www.agri.idaho.gov/[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000FF] [/COLOR] [COLOR=0000FF]Information for back yard biosecurity [/COLOR] [COLOR=0000FF]
http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/[/COLOR]
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Karen Clifton American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc.[/TD][/COLOR] [/TR]
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