WSDA confirms first bird flu case of 2025

By on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

OLYMPIA โ€“ Washington stateโ€™s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a domestic commercial flock for 2025 has been confirmed in Franklin County.

According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, a large poultry operation reported many sudden chicken deaths, leading to an investigation by state and federal veterinarians. Initial samples tested non-negative, which were later confirmed as positive.

Officials quarantined the farm and mandated the humane euthanasia of all birds to control the outbreak. Poultry products from the flock will not enter the food supply system.

WSDA urges bird owners, commercial and domestic, to continue their dedication to enhanced biosecurity efforts. This includes bringing free-ranging birds under cover if possible and limiting any exposure to wild waterfowl or places they congregate.