Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, increase in mid-October, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Wild birds, especially migrating ducks and geese, transmit the disease, and may not appear sick.

“Really, all of the recommendations boil down to the simple fact of keeping domestic poultry away from wild waterfowl,” said State Veterinarian Ryan Scholz.

Indirect contact is also a concern.

“We’ve had a couple of cases in the past of duck or goose hunters,” Scholz told KLCC, “where they've gone hunting, cleaned the birds they harvested, and then rinsed the patio off into their chicken coop, and that infected their chickens.”

After walking in a park where there may be droppings from wild ducks or geese, Scholz said, be sure to clean your shoes, and wear differen

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