State set to test migratory birds for avian flu

State wildlife officials will soon begin testing more than 2,500 migratory birds for the avian influenza virus, watching for spread of the deadly disease from Asia and parts of Europe.

The testing, which will begin in late July, will be part of a nationwide effort to test migratory shorebirds and waterfowl returning from Alaska and the Arctic, where they come into contact with Asian migratory birds that might be carrying the virus, H5N1.

Worldwide, the virus has killed 128 people, mostly Asian poultry workers, and caused the destruction of hundreds of millions of chickens during the past three years. Disease experts say they fear the virus could mutate to spread more easily among humans and cause a deadly, worldwide pandemic.

But so far no birds in North America have tested positive for the deadly form of the virus.

Don Kraege, a manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the testing will focus on sick and dying birds, where the virus has mostly turned up in sampling in other countries. Live birds also will be trapped and swabs taken.

Testing will be in the northern Puget Sound area and coastal estuaries. In July, it will begin with western sandpipers and later will include such birds as pintails, mallards, wigeons, shovelers, sea ducks and Wrangel Island snow geese. Between October and January, birds killed by hunters will be tested at check stations.

More testing of live birds will continue until next June, Kraege said.

A similar effort already is under way in Alaska and other northern states.

Here, state agriculture officials already have been testing domestic chickens and eggs and dead birds for the virus.

Warren King: 206-464-2247 or wking@seattletimes.com