Evergreen Reporter

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has confirmed the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1) in Mason County. The virus was detected in a small backyard flock of ducks. The initial report came to state veterinarians last week, with confirmatory results received on February 10.

Dr. Dana Dobbs, Avian Health Lead for the Washington State Veterinarian’s office, stated, "The virus remains present in the environment, and we continue to recommend enhanced biosecurity."

Flock owners within approximately six miles of a detection are encouraged to self-report their flock's health using an online tool provided by WSDA. This self-reporting allows veterinarians to contact flock owners to discuss biosecurity measures and symptoms without needing in-person visits.

State veterinarians have identified direct contact with wild waterfowl as the biggest risk factor for spreading the virus. Since May 2022, when the first case was announced in Washington, most affected flocks had contact with wild waterfowl.

Enhanced biosecurity measures include keeping birds sheltered, restricting access to water sources frequented by wild waterfowl, cleaning up feed spills, limiting coop visitors, and avoiding sharing equipment with other flock owners.

Resources for bird flu information and protection strategies are available on WSDA’s bird flu webpage and USDA’s Defend the Flock webpage.

Flock owners should report sudden deaths or illnesses by calling WSDA’s Sick Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-3056 or using the online reporting tool. Dead birds should be double-bagged and kept cool until sampling can be arranged. Scavenger birds should not have access to dead domestic fowl to prevent further spread of the virus. Sick or dead wild birds should not be touched or moved but reported via the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online tool.

WSDA will issue news releases for each new county detection while updating subsequent detections on their website's HPAI Detections chart.