First case of Avian Influenza confirmed in Jackson County

Bird flu continues to raise concerns as the first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza(HPAI) has been confirmed by the U.S Department of Agriculture in Jackson County, in a backyard flock of geese and chickens.

Cases of avian influenza see an uptick in fall and springtime as wild birds spread the virus during their seasonal migrations.

Oregon has been detecting bird flu cases since May 2022 and so far three commercial poultry flocks and 38 backyard flocks have been affected.

Recently, one pig out of 5 at an Oregon farm was detected to have bird flu, the first such case in the US swine.

The pig contracted the infection from HPAI-infected chickens and ducks This has raised concern about the disease's potential to become a human threat.