The Oregon Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of avian influenza at a commercial egg farm in Clackamas County Oregon, being identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory. As a precautionary measure, approximately 150,000 infected chickens were euthanized using carbon dioxide poisoning, a method approved for culling poultry affected by the virus. Officials stated that the eggs from these birds did not enter the food supply. This strain of avian influenza has impacted over 100 million poultry across the U.S. since 2022, significantly contributing to rising egg and meat prices.
The recent case follows preliminary positive tests for bird flu in four farm workers in southeast Washington. While health officials maintain that the risk of avian influenza spreading to humans is low, they caution that those in close contact with infected birds may be at higher risk. In response, Oregon health authorities are collaborating with the Clackamas County Public Health and the Oregon Health Authority to provide farm workers with personal protective equipment and health resources. Additionally, scientists are urging increased testing for farm workers who have been exposed to sick animals to prevent potential undetected cases.
Photo Credit: The USDA
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