Thirteen cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were confirmed in the Northwest U.S. since Dec 8, including three cases on Jan 16, said the Agriculture Department. None were in commercial flocks. “Because the H5N2 and H5N8 avian influenza strains are currently circulating in migratory birds in the Pacific flyway, we anticipate our active surveillance will result in additional findings in both wild birds and in backyard flocks with access to the outdoors,” said USDA. Highly pathogenic viruses have a high mortality rate, so USDA takes aggressive steps, such as liquidating flocks, to prevent the viruses from becoming established.
Cases were reported in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington state. Backyard flocks in Oregon and Washington state accounted for five cases. Wild birds kept in captivity in Idaho and Washington state were involved in two cases. In six cases, the virus was found in wild birds in California, Utah, Idaho and Washington state.
USDA said it “is working with trading partners to minimize trade impacts on poultry and poultry products as much as possible.” Dozens of nations have restricted imports of U.S. poultry and poultry products following the discovery of the disease in the Pacific Northwest. Eighteen percent of U.S. poultry meat is exported.
The highly pathogenic H5N8 virus has been found in flocks in Asia and Europe since it emerged in South Korea in January 2014, says the World Organization for Animal Health.