BEND, OR -- On July 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two non-commercial backyard flocks in Deschutes County. Each property had 70 to 80 birds, a mix of chickens, ducks, and Pea fowl. All birds were humanely euthanized on July 24. The flock owners did not sell eggs or other poultry products therefore federal guidelines do not require expansion of the existing regional quarantine.

Deschutes County now has 6 cases of HPAI confirmed. There will be no poultry exhibit at the county fair, which starts Wednesday, due to a quarantine from previous cases. State Veterinarian Ryan Scholz expects more cases of HPAI statewide as we move closer to the fall season and birds begin their winter migration. To keep the public informed ODA will provide weekly HPAI summaries beginning August 8 and post all confirmed Oregon HPAI cases online. Please sign up to receive HPAI updates via email. ODA will continue to issue news releases to announce the first case of HPAI in domestic poultry in a county that has not previously had a case of HPAI, and for new or expanded regional quarantines.

As always, ODA advises commercial poultry and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance. Preventing any contact between wild birds and domestic flocks is the best way to protect domestic birds from HPAI. Death or illness among domestic birds should be reported to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (Alt phone 1-800-347-7028).

To report the death of wild birds please contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) by calling 1-866-968-2600 or email Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov.

For more tips on protecting backyard flocks please visit ODA's Avian Influenza webpage or en Español at Avian Influenza-Spanish.