Western Washington farmers prepare for possible fallout after avian influenza case in Pierce County
State and local health officials confirmed an avian influenza detection at a commercial poultry operation in Pierce County, prompting quarantine measures and heightened monitoring of nearby farms.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced Thursday that avian influenza was identified at an unnamed commercial poultry facility in Pierce County. The site has been placed under quarantine, and eggs from infected birds will be destroyed to prevent entry into the food supply.
Health Officer James Miller said no human cases have been found and that the risk to the general public remains "very low," noting that person-to-person transmission of the virus has not been documented in the United States. Agencies are monitoring workers who had contact with the infected birds as a precaution.
Local farmers expressed concern about the potential impact on already-strained family farms. "Far too many farms of all kinds here in Washington state stand on the brink, just one crisis, such as bird flu, away from ending up over the edge and having to shut down," said Jason Vander Kooy, vice president of Save Family Farming and owner of two dairy farms in Mt. Vernon.
The state warns that poultry and dairy operations within six miles of the detection are in a surveillance zone and should report any sudden illness or bird deaths using the online reporting tool or the Sick Bird Hotline (800-606-3056). The department affirmed that chicken and eggs from unaffected farms remain safe to eat.