Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 12/22/14


USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5N8 avian influenza in guinea fowl and chickens from a small backyard poultry flock in Winston, Ore. 

The agency cautioned that the flock of approximately 100 birds has access to the outdoors, and migratory birds frequent a pond and marsh on the premises.

However, APHIS noted that the H5N8 virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States.

This strain has been discovered in birds in other part of the world and has not yet caused human infection, the agency said.
The finding in Oregon follows 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 together to respond to this detection. 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.

USDA notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of this detection. “USDA expects trading partners to respond to this reported detection according to OIE’s science-based standards. USDA is working with trading partners to minimize trade impacts on poultry and poultry products as much as possible.”

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