Oregon’s discovery of High-Path Avian Flu in a pig comes after the virus took a hiatus in the state. No cases of the virus had been reported in Oregon in more than a year, but with fall bird migration in full swing, that has opened the door for more outbreaks.
“Those wild waterfowl - the wild ducks and geese - that migrate through Oregon on their southward journey, they are what brings this virus into our area and pose the most risk,” said Ryan Scholz.
This month’s case in Oregon took out more than 100,000 birds, but it is an event state animal health experts have been preparing for.
“Even more so in the last 6-9 months, developing plans; developing how we will respond, not only to control disease in animal populations but prevent spillover in human populations if that happens. We do have rapid response plans in place.”
California also posted a poultry case recently, with 6,000 birds culled at a commercial facility in the state. Health officials say HPAI is not going away, and urge farmers and ranchers to keep on top of biosecurity plans.
On the dairy side, 14 states have reported cases of HPAI in their animals, totaling nearly 300 herds across the nation. 17 humans have also been diagnosed, but those cases appear to be mild.
