WSDA seeks volunteers for bird flu surveillance

Officials of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) announced an expansion of its surveillance efforts to detect avian influenza in the state's domestic poultry, particularly backyard flocks that may be exposed to migratory waterfowl.

WSDA is looking for farmers and backyard poultry owners with established flocks who will allow WSDA to take swab samples from live birds or provide eggs for testing. Participants will be reimbursed up to $60 per quarter for providing swab samples or $10 a quarter for providing a dozen eggs to test for the avian influenza virus. WSDA staff will do the quick and painless swabbing and egg pickup during visits to the premises.

"Avian influenza hasn't been found in domestic poultry in Washington, but it will be an advantage to increase the range of our surveillance efforts," said State Veterinarian Leonard Eldridge. "These sentinel flocks will help alert us should avian influenza ever become a problem here. Good surveillance and early detection will allow us to coordinate a rapid response to bird diseases."

The department is particularly interested in testing chickens, pheasants, ducks and geese located near a wildlife or waterfowl refuge, close to commercial poultry operations or within a major migratory waterfowl flyway.

Persons interested in participating in the backyard flock surveillance may contact WSDA through its toll-free Avian Health Hotline at 1-800-606-3056. The hotline also can be used to report sick or dead birds or ask for more information on avian influenza.

Last year, WSDA sent more than 4,000 bird swabs or eggs to the Washington State University (WSU) Avian Health Laboratory in Puyallup. None of the tests showed signs of avian influenza. Commercial poultry operations conduct their own surveillance and testing as part of their normal biosecurity and disease prevention programs.

The public may report diseased or dead wild birds, particularly waterfowl or shorebirds, to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-606-8768.