HealthTop story
Bird flu hits a Pierce County commercial poultry facility, the first in Washington this year
Bird flu has moved from backyard flocks to a Pierce County commercial facility
- 2022Bird flu detections in Washington begin.
- Oct.State confirms bird flu in three backyard flocks in Yakima and Kittitas counties.
- Nov. 5Bird flu is reported at a Pierce County commercial poultry facility.
Sources: KOMO, Nonstop Local News
If you raise chickens in Pierce County, this one's for you. Bird flu has been detected at a commercial poultry facility in the county, the first such detection in Washington this year, state agriculture officials said. The facility is under quarantine, and eggs from infected birds will be destroyed. Chicken and eggs from other farms remain safe to eat.
Public health agencies are monitoring workers who were exposed to infected birds, and no human cases have been identified at the facility. The risk to the general public is low. The farm isn't being named: Washington law protects information that identifies farmers and their facilities, the health department said in a news release.
- Sick Bird Hotline: 800-606-3056
- Surveillance zone: within 6 miles of a detection
- Dead wild birds: don't touch them; report to Fish and Wildlife
6 milessurveillance zone around a detection
Flock owners inside it are encouraged to report their flock's health using the state's online tool.
Source: KOMO
State Veterinarian Dr. Amber Itle said the most important thing is to keep birds away from wild waterfowl and shared environments, including ponds.
