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Utah's wildlife and agriculture agencies are advising hunters and residents with backyard poultry flocks to be aware that two strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) have been detected in wild birds in California, Washington and Oregon.
While no affected birds have been reported in Utah, the state sits in a major migratory bird flight path, so it's possible the disease could be transmitted to domestic birds as waterfowl migrate through Utah, Warren Hess, acting state veterinarian with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, said Tuesday in a news releases.
"This discovery underscores the importance of biosecurity for backyard bird owners," he said. "We strongly encourage owners to take biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of their flocks being exposed to wild birds. We also advise bird owners to monitor their flock closely and to report sick birds to the Department of Agriculture and Food."
Hess said there is no immediate public health concern. To date, the particular strains of avian influenza found in California, Washington and Oregon have not been implicated in human disease. The immediate concern is for domestic bird populations in Utah.
Utah's commercial poultry industry has a robust avian influenza testing program. In addition, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources routinely conducts mortality surveillance of wild bird populations. The HPAI virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States.
Backyard flock owners can report sick birds to the Utah State Veterinarian's office at 1-801-538-4910 or by calling the USDA toll free at 1-866-536-7593.
Wild bird deaths can be reported to the DWR at 801-538-4758.