Wild Birds Sheltered Indoors Following Outbreak of Avian ‘Flu in Oregon
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Resident wild birds and clinic patients of the Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center have been moved to enclosures indoors as a safety precaution following an outbreak of avian ‘flu at a nearby farm in Jackson County.
HPAI is Deadly to Birds
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) can be deadly to birds and moving them indoors is a necessary safety measure, says the Wildlife Center in a press statement.
Center Closes its Doors to Admissions
The clinic will not admit any species of water bird – ducks, herons, geese, and waterfowl – susceptible to avian ‘flu spread by wild birds when migrating to seasonal homes. Sick and injured water birds must be referred to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The center warns pet owners to take precautionary measures with their feathered animals by disinfecting equipment used in their daily care, limiting access to visitors, and washing hands before and after working with their pets.
The precautionary move by the rehabilitation center follows the outbreak of HPAI at a Jackson County farm reported in Daily Tidings yesterday, which resulted in the euthanasia of a flock of chickens and geese by members of the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).
The Jackson farm has been placed under quarantine by the ODA following an outbreak of avian flu at a Crook County farm last month. A flock of 70 ducks and chickens was euthanized, as well as five pigs after at least one came into contact with the birds.
Helpline Contact Numbers
Illnesses and death among domestic flocks of geese, ducks, and chickens must be reported to the ODA on 503 986 4711 or 1-800-347-7028.
Death among wild birds must be reported to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-866-968-2600.