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 The quarantine restricts the movement of eggs, poultry or poultry
products out of the quarantine zone, which makes up roughly 20 miles
(32 km) around Benton and Franklin counties, the Washington State
Department of Agriculture said.
A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, the H5N2 virus, was
confirmed this month in two flocks of mixed poultry and other birds
in the region, agriculture officials said.
The virus has not been found in commercial poultry and there was no
immediate public health concern, the state agency said in a
statement.
Most bird flu viruses do not infect humans. But another strain,
H5N1, which severely affected poultry in Asia, became a worldwide
concern because in 2003 it was more easily spread among humans.
The quarantine in the two Washington state counties, both
agricultural centers in the state, will be in effect for at least
240 days, the statement said.
Agriculture officials warned the biggest risk to poultry in the area
comes from the migratory wild waterfowl populations, where two avian
flu strains have been identified.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to increase the amount of
testing of poultry and other domestic birds within a 16-mile area
around where avian flu was detected, agriculture officials said.
Poultry and eggs that are sold in grocery stores or to restaurants
undergo robust testing and monitoring for avian flu, the Washington
State Department of Agriculture said.
(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and
Bill Trott)
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