Sequim Gazette staff

The 10-kilometer quarantine zone encompassing 92 Cosmos Lane in Agnew intended reduce the risk of avian influenza that was lifted Wednesday, Feb. 11.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture placed the quarantine one month ago in response to an avian flu outbreak, causing U.S. Department of Agriculture officials to euthanize 118 birds from a flock of mixed poultry.Personnel with both the WSDA and USDA collaborated to ensure the virus, H5N2, had not spread beyond the initial infected flock.

WSDA officials decided to lift the quarantine placed in Agnew after a team of veterinarians with the USDA and WSDA visited nearly 2,000 locations in the quarantine area and tested samples from birds at 44 premises. All samples tested negative for avian influenza.

The decision to lift the quarantine results in all movement of poultry or poultry products within county and the quarantine area to resume without any further restrictions.

However, restrictions remain in place in parts of Okanogan County where two quarantines were established after two different flocks were found to be infected with the H5N2 avian influenza virus.Although the quarantine has been lifted, the risk of exposure to avian influenza still remains for poultry.

Because migratory wild waterfowl populations can carry the disease, including the highly-pathogenic strains of avian influenza, WSDA officials continue to urge bird owners to protect their domestic birds from contact with wild waterfowl and remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures.

Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat, but both wild and domestic poultry should be properly cooked.

Deaths or illness among domestic birds should be reported to the WSDA Avian Health Program at 800-606-3056. For wild birds, contact the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife at 800-606-8768.