Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 1/20/15

Ag officials are preparing to set up quarantine zones now that a third outbreak of the same avian influenza strain that was discovered in two other counties has been confirmed in a backyard flock in Port Angeles, Wash.

The Washington Dept. of Agriculture — which previously confirmed outbreaks of H5N2 bird flu in Whatcom and Benton counties — culled 118 birds over the weekend after a goose died last week from avian flu. Authorities stress that migratory waterfowl are suspected of spreading the disease through shared water sources, but the outbreak has yet to affect any commercial flocks.

Officials are testing birds in nearby flocks and setting up zones to limit movement of poultry and poultry products, according to Boise State Public Radio.

The earlier outbreaks among wild birds prompted several nations to ban imports of all U.S. poultry products, including China.

Washington State officials also are asking backyard poultry and owners of waterfowl in Washington, Oregon and Idaho to try to limit contact their birds may have with wild waterfowl to stem the spread of the disease.

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