Canyon Cty Quarrantine

Canyon Cty Quarrantine

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Yesterday we heard these words from Dr. Bill Barton, ISDA State Veterinarian: “Both the H5N8 and H5N2 strains of HPAI confirmed in Idaho have previously been identified in incidents in backyard domestic poultry and wild fowl in other northwestern states. It is critical that backyard flock owners and poultry producers take every opportunity to prevent contact between domestic birds and the wild waterfowl that carry the avian influenza virus.”

 

Well, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture has now established a quarantine zone in Canyon County, covering an area of approximately six miles around a site near Parma, Idaho where avian influenza was confirmed in a backyard flock of chickens.

 

The quarantine restricts the movement of eggs, poultry or poultry products within and out of the identified zone with exemptions made for operations that obtain special permits and meet specific criteria.

 

On January 9th, a small backyard poultry flock in Canyon County, Idaho was identified as having chickens positive for H5N2. That flock was immediately put under quarantine and the birds have been depopulated.

 

Because migratory wild waterfowl populations can carry the disease, particularly the highly-pathogenic strains of avian influenza (H5N2 and H5N8), ISDA is encouraging bird owners to protect their domestic birds from contact with wild waterfowl and remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures.

 

There is no immediate public health concern due to the avian influenza virus detected.  Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat. As always, both wild and domestic poultry should be properly cooked. Additional information about avian influenza and updates in the Idaho bird cases can be found at www.agri.idaho.gov

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