Bird flu concerns prompt info meetings

Recent outbreaks of Avian Flu in Washington state have prompted officials to schedule two local meetings, on Monday, Feb. 9, to provide the public and poultry growers information about the bird disease.

A meeting is set for 9-10 a.m. at the Nespelem Community Center, and a second meeting is set for 1 p.m. in Okanogan at the county commissioner’s hearing room, 123 Fifth Avenue North, room 150.

Dr. John Huntley, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, assistant District 6 director of the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, will give a presentation at both meetings. A discussion will follow.

The most recent outbreak of Avian Flu occurred at Riverside.

Agriculture officials have warned bird owners to keep their flocks away from migratory birds, which have spread viruses from Oregon to Canada.

In the meetings, Dr. Huntley will discuss ways to prevent the disease from spreading.

All persons who have bird flocks are encouraged to attend one of the meetings.

State and federal agriculture officials culled about 120 backyard chickens, geese and ducks in Clallam County recently.

The virus has not been found in commercial poultry and there is no immediate public health concern, federal agriculture officials have stated.

By attending one of the meetings, bird owners will learn what symptoms to look for and what they can do to protect flocks.

A number of people in the greater coulee area have backyard poultry flocks, and they are encouraged to attend one of the meetings.

Just after Electric City adopted an ordinance that allows chickens, four homeowners got permits to keep them, but officials said the number has dwindled to one.

For additional information, interested parties may call Linda McLean, Colville Reservation WSU extension director, (509) 634-2305; or Dan Fagerlie, FRTEP project director, (509) 690-0009 or (509) 775-3087; or Okanogan County WSU extension office, (509) 422-7245; or Ferry County WSU extension office, (509) 775-5225 extension 1116.