State officials urge poultry growers to take steps to mitigate avian flu
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 6 months AGO
Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle is strongly advising poultry growers to take steps to avoid contaminating their flocks with H5N1 - also known as avian flu - by keeping their flocks apart and avoiding sharing farm tools.
STOCK PHOTO BY ALISON BURRELL
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture is asking owners of chickens, ducks and other domestic birds to be vigilant following an outbreak of avian influenza in six non-commercial flocks statewide.
WSDA is asking bird owners to ensure there is no flock-to-flock or farm-to-farm transmission of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which was confirmed on May 11, by eliminating standing water or access to ponds and keeping ducks and geese penned separately from other domestic fowl like chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl and peacocks.
Limiting or preventing contact between domestic and wild birds is also important, according to the WSDA, since wild birds are carriers.
Flock owners should also limit access to their farm and neither lend nor share farm tools, equipment, or sell eggs, and should report any unusual or multiple deaths in their flocks to the WSDA’s Avian Health Program at 800-606-3056, according to the WSDA press release.
“Avian influenza is here,” said Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle. “Whether it has been confirmed in your county yet or not, you should be taking steps to protect your birds and prevent the spread of this virus which could wipe out your flock.”
Itle also asked bird owners to skip livestock exhibitions, shows and fairs until 30 days after the last confirmed detection of avian influenza, and to assume that where waterfowl gather is a likely site of avian influenza.
According to the WSDA’s avian influenza webpage, the disease has been confirmed in flocks in six counties — Whatcom, Okanogan, Clallam, Pierce, Spokane and Pacific.
While highly contagious among birds, the Washington State Department of Health on its avian influenza web site said the current strain of H5N1 is a different strain from previous years and does not appear to easily infect people, and only two cases — one in the United Kingdom and one in Colorado — appear to be related to this strain of the virus.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.