Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Update from ODA 11/13/24: HPAI Confirmed in Malheur County

On November 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks in Malheur County. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in Malheur County. Samples from the flock were first taken to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University (OSU) for testing. OVDL confirmed the presence of HPAI on November 8, 2024.  

All the affected birds were humanely euthanized and did not enter the food supply chain, nor were intended for the commercial food market. It is important to note that when properly prepared and cooked, HPAI does not affect meat or egg products, and these food items remain safe. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends choosing pasteurized milk and dairy products to protect your health.  

According to the USDA, HPAI detections are higher in the fall and spring because wild birds spreading the virus are migrating to their seasonal homes. Actions bird and livestock owners can take to help stop the spread of the virus.  

Biosecurity measures can include:  

  • Preventing exposure of domestic poultry and livestock to wildlife, especially wild waterfowl  
  • Limiting the co-mingling of different species of livestock, especially poultry and pigs  
  • Wash your hands before and after handling your flock  
  • Cleaning vehicles, tools, or equipment  
  • Limiting unnecessary visitors  
  • Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths  
  • Changing clothes upon contact with birds.  

Death or illness among domestic birds should be reported immediately to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (Alt phone 1-800-347-7028).   

To report the death of wild birds, don’t hesitate to contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Please do not collect or handle the birds; instead, call 1-866-968-2600 or email Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov.  

For more tips on protecting backyard flocks, please visit ODA online at Avian Influenzaor en Español at Avian Influenza-Spanish

Update from ODA 10/30/24: Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Backyard Livestock

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in 1 of 5 pigs living on a small farm in Crook County. While NVSL confirmed HPAI in one pig, results on samples collected from the other four pigs are pending. This is the same farm where the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), humanely euthanized 70 HPAI-affected backyard birds last week. ODA State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz placed a quarantine on the property, and ODA’s veterinary team is conducting surveillance.

While HPAI confirmation is not unexpected due to the previous detection on the premises, this is the first HPAI detection in pigs. All five pigs and the 70 birds on the property were humanely euthanized to prevent the further spread of the highly contagious virus. None of the animals on the farm entered the food supply chain, nor were they intended for the commercial food market. It’s important to note that when properly prepared and cooked, HPAI does not affect meat or egg products, and these food items remain safe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends choosing pasteurized milk and dairy products to protect your health and your family’s health.

HPAI is a serious disease. ODA, USDA, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Crook County Public Health responded quickly and according to established One Health response plans. These plans include implementing quarantine restrictions, humanely euthanizing affected flocks and animals, disposing of affected birds and animals, cleaning and eliminating the virus from affected premises, conducting surveillance, and monitoring individuals exposed to infected animals. ODA provided the animal owners with personal protective (PPE) equipment, and Crook County Public Health and OHA are educating and monitoring exposed individuals.

While these response efforts are critical in ending the outbreak, there are also actions bird and livestock owners can take to help stop the spread of the virus.

Biosecurity measures can include:

  • Preventing exposure of domestic poultry and livestock to wildlife, especially wild waterfowl
  • Limiting the co-mingling of different species of livestock, especially poultry and pigs
  • Wash your hands before and after handling your flock
  • Cleaning vehicles, tools, or equipment
  • Limiting unnecessary visitors
  • Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths
  • Changing clothes upon contact with birds.

The current strain of HPAI circulating in the U.S. and worldwide is endemic in wild birds, causing outbreaks in poultry, wild mammals, including seals and sea lions, and domestic animals, including dairy cows. HPAI has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 14 states, including California and Idaho. Oregon has no confirmed HPAI cases in dairy cattle. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked eggs and beef in the U.S., the risk of HPAI spreading to people from animals is extremely low.

Death or illness among domestic birds should be reported immediately to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (Alt phone 1-800-347-7028).

To report the death of wild birds, please contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Please do not collect or handle the birds; instead, call 1-866-968-2600 or email Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov.

For more tips on protecting backyard flocks, please visit ODA online at Avian Influenza or en Español at Avian Influenza-Spanish.

Update from ODA 10/24/24: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to spread in Oregon

Experts say the virus does not affect food products

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) recently confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry operation with approximately 150,000 birds. The facility is in Clackamas County. The affected birds were euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease and did not enter the food system. Avian influenza does not affect properly cooked poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe. HPAI is also considered low risk to human health, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The confirmation at the commercial poultry operations initiated a state-federal response between the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and USDA. ODA works closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on a joint incident response and action plan. State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz issued a regional quarantine around the operation to prevent the movement of poultry and poultry products from within the affected area, giving state and federal staff time to conduct surveillance to ensure no additional cases of HPAI exist. The USDA tracks the number of cases nationwide, and the most recent report says since the start of the outbreak February 8, 2022, 104 million birds have been affected by HPAI in 48 states.

ODA is also working with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Clackamas County Public Health to ensure the farm personnel have proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and to provide public health resources.

For details on the quarantine area, ODA provides an online map. In addition to the map, the online tool allows people to enter their address to determine whether their property is included in the quarantine area. ODA will lift the quarantine as regional surveillance is complete. Temporary rules establishing quarantine and movement restrictions for HIPAI. 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock. ODA continues to advise commercial poultry farmers and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance.

Biosecurity measures can include:

  • Wash your hands before and after handling your flock
  • Cleaning vehicles tools or equipment
  • Limiting unnecessary visitors
  • Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths
  • Changing clothes upon contact with birds and more

For more tips on protecting your backyard flock, please visit the ODA online at Avian Influenza or en Español at Avian Influenza – Spanish.

Death or illness among domestic birds should be immediately reported to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (Alt Phone: 1-800-347-7028).

Please contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) for wild birds. Do not collect or handle the birds but report the incident directly to ODFW at 866-968-2600 or Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov.

 

——————————————————————————————————–

Back in March, a herd of dairy cattle in Texas tested positive for Avian Flu. This is a new concern for cattle and dairy farmers and has since spread to several states (See Affected States). In the cases that have been detected, the viral load is much higher in milk than in nose swabs for the infected cows. This means that dairy operations, especially raw milk operations should take extra biosecurity precautions. 

Symptoms to be aware of:

  • Animals not eating as much, reduced feeding
  • Reduced milk output
  • Milk that is thicker or more yellow in color

Ways it transfers (that we know of so far):

  • Imported cows from infected farms (see import restrictions below in ODA update from 4/17/24)
  • Physical spread through milking equipment
  • Cows contacting with wild birds or the droppings thereof (especially water fowl)
  • Cow to Cow interactions

What to do if you think you have a case:

  • Call your vet first
    • That vet will call the state
  • If you don’t have a vet or they don’t answer right away
    • Avian flu reporting hotline – 503-986-4711
  • Testing is free to the farmer
  • If it is found
    • No culling required
    • Quarantine is enforced
    • Public health intervention if there is human exposure, wait for advice from State Vet

Cows usually do not die from this infection the way that chickens do. You will most likely not lose your cow, but it will take 2-3 weeks for them to recover. There has been one case that has spread to humans from this outbreak (again, not in Oregon), and they recommend wearing a mask if you are coming in contact with fluids from possibly infected cows, especially milk.

Update from ODA 6/26/24: The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has taken proactive steps by issuing emergency rules for livestock fairs and shows this summer.

The rules are a measure to prevent the introduction of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI) into an exhibition while also providing a framework to mitigate the risk of transmission between livestock and, ultimately, to people if HPAI is introduced. While ODA has reported 38 HPAI cases in poultry, the virus has not been detected in Oregon cattle. The strain of HPAI detected in livestock is the same strain (H5N1) that has been circulating in wild waterfowl in Oregon and throughout the US.
 
Rule Overview
“Influenza susceptible animals”: livestock species known to be susceptible to infection with zoonic influenza viruses through respiratory spread or as asymptomatic carriers. Includes waterfowl and other poultry, dairy cattle, and swine.
  • Rules apply only to exhibitions where influenza animals will be present.
  • Exhibitions must register with ODA.
  • Exhibitions must retain records of animals and exhibitors for 90 days.
  • Records are only available to ODA upon request if a disease outbreak occurs.
  • Exhibitions must have at least one “veterinarian of record” consulted in planning and can provide veterinary care if needed during the exhibition.
  • Sick animals are not allowed at the exhibition.
  • Influenza-susceptible species must be separated.
Lactating dairy cattle:
  • May not be milked in areas directly accessible to the general public (at least 10 feet separation required)
  • Must have a negative HPAI test within ten days before arrival at the exhibition
  • ODA will provide testing supplies, shipping, and testing free of charge
Waterfowl:
  • May not be provided open water to swim in swimming pools
  • Must have a negative HPAI test within ten days before arrival at the exhibition
  • ODA will provide testing supplies, shipping, and testing free of charge
Exhibitions open to the general public:
  • Must provide hand washing/sanitation stations at exits from influenza susceptible animal areas
  • Must provide signage regarding the risk of entering an animal area
  • Signage must be provided to encourage hand washing at exits from animal areas.
HPAI outbreaks among domestic poultry have been occurring since early 2022. Oregon has had 38 cases of HPAI in domestic poultry since May 2022. Most recent in March 2024. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) wants to reassure the public that the risk of HPAI to the general public remains low and the commercial food supply is safe.

Update from ODA 4/17/24: Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV) Emergency Import Requirements for Cattle

On March 25, 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in samples collected from four dairy farms in Texas and Kansas. Since that announcement, a total of 28 dairy cattle herds in 8 states have been confirmed by USDA as being infected with HPAI, now also know as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV). Cow-to-cow transmission and the movement of infected cattle is suspected as the primary source of infection in many of these new infection. 

Today, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) enacted emergency import requirements for cattle being imported into the State of Oregon from any state with cattle currently affected by HPAI/BIAV. In addition to existing import requirements, these emergency import requirements include: 

  • No cattle exposed to, infected with, or suspected to be carrying HPAI/BIAV may be imported into Oregon. 
  • Non-lactating dairy cattle from affected states require: 
    • A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) completed no more than 7 days prior to importation into Oregon; and 
    • A valid Import Permit issued by ODA. 
  • Lactating dairy cattle from affected states require: 
    • A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) completed no more than 7 days prior to importation into Oregon; and 
    • A valid Import Permit issued by ODA; and 
    • A negative individual or laboratory-pooled PCR test for influenza A, conducted on milk samples collected no more than 7 days prior to importation into Oregon. 

Additionally, the ODA has filed a separate emergency rule, clarifying that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a reportable disease, regardless of species. 

More information on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Bovine Influenza A Virus are available on ODA’s website. 

View BIAV Webpage