First-ever U.S. pig tests positive for bird flu in Crook County

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Amidst a rise in bird flu cases in the Pacific Northwest, including the first-ever human bird flu cases, officials announced Wednesday the first-ever case of H5N1 Influenza spreading to a pig in the United States at a farm in Oregon.

In a release from Congressman Cliff Bentz, who represents Oregon's 2nd District, he confirmed the case at a backyard farming operation in Crook County that has chickens and other livestock, including five pigs.

On Oct. 25, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the first cases of H5N1 in Crook County in the farm's poultry, and four days later they announced that one of the five pigs was also infected.

It's believed that the disease spread because the livestock and poultry shared the same water supply, housing and equipment.

The farm's pigs were all euthanized to allow for testing and according to officials, only one has tested possible so far, two tested negative and they are still waiting for results on the last two pigs.

Officials said there is no concern about the nation's pork supply since it is a private farm, but the farm was also quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus to other animals.

The farm's other animals, including sheep and goats, are still being monitored.