State officials announced Wednesday that a severe form of bird flu has been detected for the first time in a pig on a small farm in Crook County in central Oregon.
The farm, which was not identified, is a noncommercial operation that had an outbreak of bird flu last week in its flock of poultry, including ducks, geese and guinea fowl. Three pigs on the property that roamed with the poultry initially tested positive for bird flu in pooled oral swabs. Officials euthanized the pigs and tested tissue samples from the animals in the state veterinarian lab. Those showed that one of the pigs had the virus throughout its body.
Two other pigs — both teacups housed in a separate area of the farm with chickens — were also tested with oral swabs and one was positive for the virus. The chickens later showed signs of illness as well.
State officials have humanely euthanized the animals — including dozens of ducks, geese and guinea fowl — and their bodies have been incinerated to prevent spread of the virus. State officials quarantined the farm and provided protective gear to the owners, and they’re continuing to monitor the situation.