Spread of bird flu in B.C. spurs U.S. to take action

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001914538_birdflu28.html


Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - Page updated at 12:42 A.M.

Spread of bird flu in B.C. spurs U.S. to take action

By Judith Blake
Seattle Times staff reporter

Federal agricultural officials are knocking on doors in northern Whatcom County, just south of the Canadian border, in an attempt to locate backyard chickens and head off a possible outbreak of bird flu in Washington.

The effort comes as officials announced that avian flu has been detected among British Columbia chickens less than 600 yards north of the border, near Lynden, Whatcom County, U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Larry Hawkins said.

No cases of the disease have been found in Washington state. This strain of avian flu isn't a big threat to people, but it can wipe out commercial flocks, as it has in parts of British Columbia.

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