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Benton County Health Alert – Pandemic Flu Facts

FAQs for Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”)

• The big news is about a strain of bird flu called H5N1. It is causing a “panzootic” – a serious global outbreak of flu in birds, but not in humans.  Read more...

For More Information

Recommendations for home emergency preparedness is available from Benton County Emergency Management (phone: 541-766-6864).

More recommendations for emergency preparedness for homes and businesses are available on the Internet. More details regarding national and global Avian Flu and Pandemic Flu information is also available.

Biosecurity Tips: 6 Ways to Prevent Poultry Disease

1. Keep Your Distance

Restrict access to your property and your birds. Consider fencing off the area where your birds are to form a barrier between “clean” and “dirty” areas. The clean area is the immediate area surrounding your birds, and the dirty or buffer area must be considered to be infected with germs, even if the birds appear healthy and disease free.

Read more...

Disinfectants

Cleaning and disinfecting is one of the most important steps you can take in practicing backyard biosecurity. Below are some examples of disinfectants available on the market. Follow the directions on the label carefully for the best results.

Thoroughly clean and scrub objects before applying disinfectants. Disinfectants cannot work on top of caked-on dirt and manure, so thoroughly wash surfaces before disinfecting.

Apply disinfectants using brushes, sponges and spray units. Allow adequate contact time (follow manufacturer’s instructions.)

Dispose of used disinfectant according to local regulations.

Examples of Disinfectants

• Roccal^®: Mix 1/2 fluid oz of Roccal per gallon of water.
• Nolvasan^® (chlorhexidine diacetate 2 percent): Mix 3 fluid oz of Nolvasan per gallon of water.
• Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6 percent): Mix 1/4 cup of household bleach per gallon of water.
• Lysol^® spray for footwear
• Purell^® hand pump for hand disinfection

Note: Trade names mentioned here do not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty of these products. USDA bears no responsibility resulting from the use of the described products. These procedures are not guaranteed to prevent highly contagious diseases from affecting your birds; however, they will reduce the risks.

Why Be Concerned?

An outbreak of a bird disease such as exotic Newcastle disease or highly pathogenic avian influenza could not only harm or kill your birds, it could spread quickly and kill other nearby birds.

Early detection and reporting is the most important step in eradicating a disease outbreak. Don’t be afraid of “crying wolf.” State and Federal veterinarians want to hear about sick and dying birds.

There is no charge for USDA veterinarians to work with you to conduct a disease investigation.

Call 1-866-536-7593. You are the best protection your birds have!

What Hunters Should Know About Avian Influenza (PDF)

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