HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.18.22 For Immediate Release_ Public Health Declares Health Emergency to Prevent the Spread of Illness after Avian Influenza is Confirmed in Butte CountyFrom:Almaguer, Lisa
To:Bennett, Robin; Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Hironimus, Patrizia; Kimmelshue,
Tod; Lucero, Debra; Paulsen, Shaina; Pickett, Andy; Reaster, Kayla; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney,
Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Valencia, Shyanne; Cox, Erin; McSpadden, Elaine; Nicholas, Jodi; Putnam, Jodi;
Soderstrom, Monica; Star, Nanette
Cc:York, Danette; Canton, David
Subject:For Immediate Release: Public Health Declares Health Emergency to Prevent the Spread of Illness after Avian
Influenza is Confirmed in Butte County
Date:Thursday, August 18, 2022 12:52:02 PM
The following press release will be issued shortly…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2022
Public Health Declares Health Emergency to Prevent the Spread of Illness after
Avian Influenza is Confirmed in Butte County
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – On August 17, 2022, Butte County Public Health (BCPH)
declared a local health emergency after notification by the Butte County Agricultural
Commissioner's Office (BCAG) that avian influenza has been confirmed in a domestic flock
of birds located in Butte County. Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease that can be
transmitted from birds to humans and creates a potential communicable disease threat.
Butte County’s departments of Public Health, Public Works, Office of Emergency
Management and Agricultural Commissioner quickly took action, working with the California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to determine the safest way to prevent the
spread of illness, protect the public’s health and dispose of the infected bird carcasses.
Declaring a local health emergency expedites a safe and coordinated response to dispose
of the carcasses, allowing the carcasses to be buried at the Neal Road Recycling and
Waste Facility.
“Identification of avian flu indicates that the virus is present in Butte County - however, the
risk to the general public is exceedingly low. Declaring the health emergency allows for
disposal of the bird carcasses in a manner that minimizes any remaining risk of spread to
other birds and to humans,” explained Dr. David Canton, Health Officer for BCPH.
The domestic bird flock was likely infected from interacting with wild birds. All bird owners
should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report any unusual or
suspicious numbers of sick or dead domestic birds to the CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at: 866-
922-BIRD (2473).
The greatest risk of exposure to humans is by direct contact (touching, butchering, etc.)
with an infected bird. BCPH reminds the public not to touch, move or interact with wild
birds.
About Avian influenza (AI)
AI, also known as bird flu, is caused by an influenza type A virus that can infect poultry
(such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried
by free flying (wild) waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds. It has also been
affecting raptors, vultures, and crows. AI viruses are classified by a combination of two
groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins, of which there are 16 (H1–H16), and
neuraminidase or “N” proteins, of which there are 9 (N1–N9). Many different combinations
of “H” and “N” proteins are possible. Each combination is considered a different subtype
and can be further broken down into different strains which circulate within
flyways/geographic regions. AI viruses are further classified by their pathogenicity (low or
high)—the severity of illness the virus causes in chickens.
More information about avian influenza is available at:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/)
California Department of Food and Agriculture website
(www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Avian_Health_Program.html)
###
Lisa Almaguer
Communications Manager / PIO
BUTTE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
202 Mira Loma Drive | Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.4000 | D: 530.552.4041
“Nationally Accredited, 09/13/17”
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