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Avian Influenza

General Information

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease that primarily affects birds. Disease can vary from mild to severe depending on the strain of the virus and species infected.  The virus often causes no apparent signs of illness in wild waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, although waterfowl can still carry the virus and sometimes do become sick and die. When avian influenza viruses spread to domestic poultry (e.g., chickens, turkeys, peafowl, etc.) it can cause large-scale outbreaks of serious disease.

Avian influenza viruses are influenza type A and are divided into two groups historically based on their ability to cause disease in poultry (now also based on certain genetic features of the viruses):

  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
    • High pathogenicity viruses result in high death rates in some poultry species (up to 100% mortality within 48 hours).
    • Most HPAI is caused by viruses with H5 or H7 surface proteins (e.g., H5N1 avian influenza).
  • Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI)
    • Low pathogenicity viruses also cause outbreaks in poultry, but are not generally associated with severe disease.
    • Some LPAI viruses can become highly pathogenic in poultry. 

Some avian influenza viruses also have been reported to cross the species barrier and cause disease or subclinical infections in humans and other mammals. More information on influenza in humans is available from the CDC. See the following pages for more specific information about avian influenza in various species:

Oregon Outbreak Information and Updates

After confirmed cases of HPAI in poultry flocks, regional quarantines for all avian species and vehicle traffic involved with avian species may be implemented for areas extending a minimum of 10 kilometers around the infected properties.

For current information about HPAI detections throughout the United States, visit the USDA's Detections of HPAI webpage. To receive information on ODA announcements, sign up to receive updates by email on poultry and animal health related topics. 

 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Cases in Oregon

map of active quarantine areas in Oregon is available online. Interested parties may enter their address to determine whether they are included in a quarantine area.

 HPAI Announcements

 

If you find a sick or dead bird, don't touch it, report it!

For domestic birds:

Oregon State Veterinarian
AHHotline@oda.oregon.gov
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-4711
Alt Phone: 1-800-347-7028

For wild birds:

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Phone: 1-866-968-2600