A backyard flock in Graham County has tested positive for avian flu.
Contributed Article/Courtesy Graham Country Health Department
GRAHAM COUNTY – Poultry in a backyard flock located in Graham County has tested positive for Avian Influenza H5. The Arizona Department of Agriculture and State Veterinarian are collaborating with the Graham County Health Department to ensure all applicable sanitation responses have been implemented.
Risk to the general public is considered to be low and there is no evidence that human-to-human transmission of avian influenza H5 is occurring to date.
Arizona continues to take swift and comprehensive action in response to any detections of avian influenza within the state by:
Working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows.
Helping ensure individuals with exposure to bird flu have access to testing and treatment; providing prophylactic treatment to individuals who may have been exposed to bird flu.
Conducting timely public education efforts to ensure those impacted have information about avian flu.
Avian influenza H5 is a novel influenza A virus that primarily affects birds. Human infections with H5 are rare. To reduce the risk of infection, people should avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals and their droppings or bedding, and should not consume unpasteurized (raw) dairy products. For more information concerning exposure please visit www.cdc.gov/bird-flu.
If you see signs of illness in your poultry, report it immediately to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. For wild bird illness, please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department or the Graham County Health Department at 928-428-1962.
