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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland Out of the ashes: Weed slowly recovering from devastating fire Emergency Services ARC hopes to open first medically supervised detox center Faith, community drive newly elected Stark Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Emergency services Emergency services Police search for pursuit suspect near Hyatt Lake Man suspected of pointing gun at neighbor Politics and Elections State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means Education Ruch school class focuses on the natural environment Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Environment Biologist resigns over LNG reporting failure Bird flu discovered in Winston backyard flock Jackson County holds back on enforcing GMO ban for now No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline State News Impostor makes off with Salvation Army donations in Corvallis, Albany Faith-healing couple sentenced to 10 years for death of diabetic daughter Uber suspends operations in Portland for 3 months Group challenges timber producer's 'green' label Law officers back home-visit funding Nation - 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Fulfilled Community blog: Saving Lives Hiking Biking Faith Churches, synagogs host seasonal events Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Milestones and Achievements Fans, friends and family welcome home victorious SOU team at airport Wedding: Boldt-Mahon Order of Elks national office revokes Medford lodge's charter Jackson County's new health building complete, will serve clients in February Ashland celebrates 'Wild' screening with Cheryl Strayed Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Holly and the Ivy' Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Stefan Baumann and Eugene Bennett highlight Third Fridays Theater ACT presents reading of 'The Quality of Life' Meet the real Jacob Marley This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Holly and the Ivy' Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Seattle rock band Smokey Brights plays Howiee's Eight Dollar Mountain and Fruition play Applegate Lodge Community Events Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Stefan Baumann and Eugene Bennett highlight Third Fridays Dancing People Company celebrates the solstice Dance to the Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Dining Coffee shops roll out holiday-inspired drinks Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland ... Our View: Be careful when you donate ... Things to do, Dec. 21 ... Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland ... Our View: Be careful when you donate ... Things to do, Dec. 21 ... ENVIRONMENT Bird flu discovered in Winston backyard flock The H5N8 strain poses no human-health risk Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 19, 2014 @ 5:01 pm By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 19, 2014 @ 5:01 pm » Social News State wildlife biologists are asking the public's help in keeping an eye on wild bird populations after a strain of avian influenza was discovered this week in a small backyard poultry flock near Winston, authorities said. The discovery of the virus strain known as H5N8 poses no threat to human health but it is contagious among birds and can be deadly in domestic birds and rarely among wild birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The virus was confirmed late Thursday within within a flock of about 100 guinea fowl and chickens that had access to a pond and marsh on private property that is frequented in migratory birds. The discovery comes days after a captive falcon and a wild pintail were found to be carrying the same strain, which has been naturally carried in recent years in Europe and Asia by wild birds without creating public health hazards, officials said. All three discoveries were along the Pacific Flyway migration alley currently used by waterfowl heading south. Wild birds that carry the virus but show no ill signs of it could spread the virus if they come into contact with susceptible domestic birds, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. "That's the likely suspect," said spokesman Bruce Pokarney from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. "We're taking steps to keep it confined and contained. Hopefully, it's an isolated issue," Pokarney said. The infected Winston flock will be euthanized and the owner compensated for the loss through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program, Pokarney said. The owner discovered dead birds within his flock Monday and immediately notified an ODA veterinarian, Pokarney said. Tests at an Oregon State University lab led to the presumption of H5N8, and it was confirmed at a USDA lab in Ames, Iowa, he said. The strain is a different strain of avian influenza that sickened and killed some infected people during a breakout in 2006, according to ODA. There have been no reports of avian influenza in Oregon's commercial poultry industry, Pokarney said. However, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to report dead wild birds to its Wildlife Health hotline, especially waterbirds such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. The hotline number is 866-968-2600. Wild birds have evolved with avian influenza and usually exhibit no signs of sickness or deaths. There have been no recent wild bird die-offs related to avian influenza in Oregon, ODFW spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy said. Regardless, Dennehy warned waterfowl hunters to practice safe bird handling when cleaning sport-killed birds. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 19, 2014 @ 5:01 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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