State declares emergency poultry quarantine in southeast Washington to contain avian flu

The Washington Agriculture Department declared an emergency quarantine for domestic poultry and eggs in the southeast part of the state to contain the highly contagious avian flu.

The quarantine issued Wednesday prevents the movement of chickens, turkeys and other birds that could carry the virus. It covers an area within 20 miles of two Benton County locations where backyard flocks of chickens, turkeys and ducks were found to have the disease.

The strain of the disease isn't dangerous to people, but it's deadly to birds. Officials want to keep it out of commercial operations.

The Tri-City Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1zWPnwQ ) that the quarantine covers most of Richland, part of Kennewick and extends across the Columbia River to include part of Franklin County.

Chicken, turkey and eggs from grocery stores are OK.

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Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com