Highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected at a commercial poultry facility in Pierce County, Washington, the first detection in commercial birds this year. The facility was placed under quarantine and eggs from the affected birds will be destroyed without entering the food supply.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in a commercial poultry facility in Pierce County, Washington state, marking the first detection in commercial birds in the state so far this year, according to a joint press release from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, other local health departments with affected residents and the Washington State Department of Health are monitoring for illness among workers exposed to infected birds as a precaution. No human cases have been identified at the facility to date and the risk to the general public remains low.
HPAI continues to circulate among wild and domestic birds in Washington, with detections in the state since 2022. In October, WSDA confirmed the presence of the virus in three small backyard flocks in Yakima and Kittitas counties that had been exposed to migratory waterfowl. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is also reporting increased mortality in wild migratory birds, which is often an early indicator of risk to poultry.
WSDA is working with the affected facility and its veterinarian to respond to the detection and limit the risk of further spread. The facility is under quarantine and disease control measures are being applied. Eggs from affected birds will be destroyed and will not enter the food supply, while chicken and eggs from other farms remain safe to eat.
“The most important thing you can do to protect your flock is to keep your birds away from wild waterfowl or shared environments including ponds. The first thing you may notice in your flock is sudden onset of sick birds or sudden death and you should call our sick bird hotline immediately,” said Amber Itle, Washington State Veterinarian. “When handling sick birds, workers and caretakers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect animal and human health by reducing exposure to viruses”.
