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Health officials have confirmed a case of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza — aka bird flu — in a wild bird in Davis County.
The avian influenza virus strain H5N8 was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, in an American widgeon duck on Jan. 9, according to a news release from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. (UDAF)
Several other wild birds taken by hunters near the Great Salt Lake in Davis County are also undergoing tests.
There is no immediate public health concern for humans.
"This discovery of avian influenza in a wild bird is not unexpected, considering that Utah sits in a major migratory bird flight path," Warren Hess, acting state veterinarian with UDAF, said in the release. "The possibility of the disease being transmitted to domestic backyard bird flocks remains high, and we advise bird owners to take extra biosecurity measures to protect their flocks."
High Pathogenic Avian Influenza was recently found in wild or domestic birds in California, Oregon and Washington. The avian influenza strains involved have not been implicated in any human infection to date. All poultry, poultry products and wild birds are safe to eat as long as they are properly handled and cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees.
The virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the U.S. Surveillance for avian influenza is ongoing in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets, and in migratory wild bird populations.
The UDAF is advising commercial poultry growers and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance.
"We have not diagnosed avian influenza in Utah's domestic poultry population, but the presence of the virus in migratory waterfowl poses a potential risk to our backyard poultry," Hess said. "This event underscores the importance of biosecurity for backyard bird owners. We strongly encourage owners to eliminate any contact between their birds and wild birds. We also want them to monitor their flock closely and report sick birds."
Backyard flock owners and domestic poultry owners can report sick birds to the State Veterinarian's office at 1-801-538-4910 or by calling the USDA toll free at 1-866-536-7593.
Residents also are asked to contact the Division of Wildlife Resources at 801-538-4700 if they finds wild bird carcasses that are not near power poles or roads, and that involve five or more carcasses of the following species: waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, scavengers such as crows and ravens, as well as quail and turkeys. .
The DWR is advising hunters to take routine precautions when handling game, including wearing latex or rubber gloves when cleaning birds, washing hands with soapy water after cleaning and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces that come in contact with wild birds with soapy water and a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution.
Detailed information for backyard bird owners is available at http://www.ag.utah.gov.