Phone Inquires about Avian Influenza

This information is brought to you by the Island County Health Department

Staff from the Washington Departments of Health, Agriculture, and Fish and Wildlife participate with other state agencies, local health, and other organizations and experts on the Interagency Task Force on Avian Influenza to share information and monitor the current status of avian influenza in North America and worldwide.

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory ( WADDL) can test birds for
avian influenza with real-time PCR, virus isolation, and/or serology for antibody.

Inquiries about avian influenza in birds should be directed as follows:

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is the lead agency for surveillance, investigation and response to avian influenza and other diseases of domestic poultry and livestock. Should an avian influenza be found in domestic birds, the WSDA has a comprehensive response plan to control the outbreak.

FOR DOMESTIC BIRDS:
Call Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Animal Health Program:
(360) 902-1878 for:

Reports of sick or dead domestic poultry (chickens, captive ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, etc.)

Questions about avian influenza in domestic poultry (i.e. symptoms in birds, biosecurity measures, surveillance)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is the lead agency for preparedness for avian influenza in wild birds, and will triage calls and facilitate laboratory testing for appropriate specimens.

FOR WILD BIRDS:
Call Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Dr. Kristin Mansfield, DVM:
1-800-606-8768 for questions about avian influenza in the wildlife population:

Reports of sick or dead wild waterfowl, or
If the wild bird is a raptor, excluding owls

Also, if the dead bird/birds are not waterfowl or a raptor, the following applies:

If three or more sick or dead birds at one time or location, call WDFW
at 1-800-606-8768; (if fewer than 3, call local health department for decision)

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided an Interim Guidance for Surveillance for WNV and or Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus with information on personal protection and other bird surveillance topics.

Alternative contacts for testing birds for avian influenza are:
     Dr. Margaret Davis, WADDL (509) 335-5119
     Dr Singh Dhillon, Avian Health Laboratory, Puyallup (253) 455-4536
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More Questions?
Contact the Washington Department of Health Zoonotic Disease Program
۰ Ron Wohrle, Environmental Health Veterinarian, 360-236-3369
۰ Dorothy Tibbetts, Program Manager, 360-236-3361

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