All the birds in a non-commercial flock in Port Angeles, Wash, were killed to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, said Capital Press, which said bird flu also was reported in a backyard flock in Idaho. “Officials suspect migratory waterfowl are spreading the disease,” said Capital Press. Avian influenza has not been identified in commercial flocks but the discovery of highly pathogenic bird flu has inspired many countries to restrict imports of U.S. poultry and poultry meat.
Capital Press cites the Washington state Agriculture Department as saying the owner of the 118-bird flock in Port Angeles contacted the agency last week after a goose died and other birds in the flock appeared ill. The highly pathogenic H5N2 virus was confirmed on Friday and the flock was destroyed on Sunday. Capital Press said USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service “posted a short notice on its web site that highly pathogenic bird flu had been found in a backyard flock in Idaho.” Capital Press said highly pathogenic bird flu was confirmed in a wild duck in Butte County, Calif.
It also listed outbreaks reported by USDA – one in a backyard flock in Winston, Ore, and two instances in Whatcom County, Wash – one in a wild duck and one in a captive falcon fed meat from a wild duck.