The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed on Mar. 20 the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a domestic flock in Skagit County.
This announcement is significant for poultry owners and the agriculture sector, as HPAI can have serious effects on both animal health and local economies. The department has outlined several symptoms to watch for, including neurologic signs such as circling, incoordination, and abnormal head position; depression; isolation or ruffled feathers; a drop in egg production; reduced feed or water consumption; swollen eyes or wattles; blue combs; and respiratory distress.
To help prevent further spread, the department recommends keeping birds housed in their coops or covered runs, restricting access to water sources where wild birds gather, keeping domestic birds away from wild waterfowl, storing feed in sealed containers and cleaning up spilled feed promptly. Other measures include limiting visitors to coops, avoiding sharing equipment with other flock owners, employing strategies to mitigate wild bird and rodent exposure, isolating new additions to flocks for at least 30 days, and purchasing birds from National Poultry Improvement Plan certified sources.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture supports statewide efforts that benefit agriculture and public welfare according to the official website. The agency advances agricultural products while ensuring regulatory adherence for food safety and environmental protection according to the official website. It serves statewide through its programs according to the official website and offers fee-based services to the agriculture community while promoting state products according to the official website. The department operates within agriculture by supporting farmers and ranchers while overseeing regulatory compliance according to the official website, and it has marked more than a century of service to the state according to the official website.
Resources are available for flock owners seeking more information about avian influenza prevention and response through various online platforms provided by WSDA.
