Avian Influenza (HPAI) Found in Oregon Birds

December 20, 2023

Avian Influenza (HPAI) Found in Oregon Birds

Nick Fewings

Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese), often causing no apparent signs of illness. AI viruses can sometimes spread to domestic poultry and cause large-scale outbreaks of serious disease. 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) continues to advise flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks. AI viruses are divided into two groups based on their ability to cause disease in poultry: 

  • High pathogenicity (HPAI)
    • Highly pathogenic viruses result in high death rates (up to 100% mortality within 48 hours) in some poultry species.
  • Low pathogenicity (LPAI)​
    • Low pathogenicity viruses also cause outbreaks in poultry, but are not generally associated with severe disease.

Current Oregon Cases

Below is an embedded list from ODA of all confirmed HPAI cases in Oregon. To receive updates by e-mail from ODA, sign up here.

Quarantine Areas

View a map of all confirmed outbreak areas in Oregon as well as the quarantine areas. You can enter your address to determine whether you are included in a quarantine area​.

Reporting

If you have a sick or dead bird and suspect Avian Influenza, please contact:

  • Domestic Birds: Oregon Department of Agriculture: 1-800-347-7028
  • Wild Birds: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: 1-866-968-2600

Prevention

Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to ensure the health of their birds.  Biosecurity tips for backyard flocks include:

  • Restrict access to your property and keep your birds away from other birds.
  • Mixed species backyard flocks are at higher risk. It is recommended to separate species from each other in backyard flocks at this time.
  • Limit access for multiple species to a common watersource.
  • Cover coops if you can to protect from overflying birds.
  • Keep a designated pair of shoes to wear around your birds, wash clothing after visiting your birds, and use disinfectants correctly.
  • Clean and disinfect cages, poultry equipment, and car tires after visiting a farm store, poultry swap, or other location with birds present.
  • Keep new birds separate from your flock for 30 days; quarantine returning birds from the rest of your flock after visiting a poultry swap or other event.
  • Do not share equipment or supplies with others, but if you must, disinfect it first.
  • Wash hands before and after bird handling.
  • Read more about biosecurity.

Source: Oregon Department of Agriculture

Updated: December 20, 2023