First Oregon Case of Bird Flu Linked to Poultry Raises Concerns

Oregon has reported its first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), linked to a poultry operation in Clackamas County, raising concerns about potential spread and public health implications.

At a Glance

Oregon confirms first human case of HPAI connected to a Clackamas County poultry operation
The virus has already affected 150,000 birds in Oregon
Authorities assure that properly cooked poultry remains safe for consumption
Public health officials emphasize good hygiene practices to reduce infection risks
Annual flu vaccinations recommended, with potential future adaptations for new strains

Oregon’s First Human Case of Avian Influenza

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Health Authority have confirmed the state’s first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This case is directly linked to a poultry operation in Clackamas County, where the virus had already spread to approximately 150,000 birds. The announcement has raised concerns about the potential for wider human transmission and the effectiveness of current preventive measures.

While local authorities have not disclosed the specific poultry operation where the bird flu was detected, the case follows previous confirmations of human avian influenza in Washington state. Some of these infected individuals had traveled to Oregon while contagious, highlighting the potential for interstate transmission.

The first known case of human bird flu in Oregon has been identified at a Clackamas County poultry farm.https://t.co/JW5PlhhG4k

— Eyewitness News (@wchs8fox11) November 17, 2024

Public Health Response and Recommendations

In response to this development, public health officials are emphasizing the importance of proper hygiene and food safety practices. Dr. Sarah Present from Clackamas County Public Health has reassured the public that consuming poultry remains safe, provided that proper cooking and handling procedures are followed.

“The main risks that we look at on raw poultry are other bacteria. Salmonella, in particular, is pretty common. So really, in making sure they have good hand hygiene, I oftentimes wear gloves when I’m preparing raw poultry, but thoroughly wash your hands and any cooking surfaces afterwards. You want to use a cutting board that can easily be sanitized with bleach afterwards.” – Dr. Sarah Present

Specific recommendations include heating poultry to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and maintaining good hand hygiene throughout food preparation. These measures are crucial not only for preventing avian influenza but also for reducing the risk of other foodborne illnesses such as salmonella.

Concerns Over Underreporting and Future Preparedness

Despite official reports, there are concerns that bird flu may be more widespread among humans than currently acknowledged. Some experts suggest that a lack of comprehensive testing could be masking the true extent of human infections. This uncertainty underscores the need for increased surveillance and testing protocols to accurately assess the situation.

“I do strongly encourage you to get the annual flu vaccine just to have decreased levels of flu overall, but this particular strain would not be in our current vaccine. If we come to a point that we need to protect more people from this particular strain – the way that our influenza vaccines are made every year – it makes it very easy to make small adjustments to include those strains in the future if we need to.” – Dr. Sarah Present

Looking ahead, Dr. Present encourages the public to get their annual flu vaccine as a general preventive measure. While the current vaccine does not protect against this specific strain of avian influenza, she notes that future versions could be adapted to include new strains if necessary. This flexibility in vaccine development provides a crucial tool in responding to evolving influenza threats.