SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 ODA RAMPS UP Migratory waterfowl poten- tially carrying a highly patho- genic bird flu virus are about to begin the annual trek south over Oregon and other states in the Pacific Flyway. That means it’s time for the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to step up its outreach and education A VIAN efforts to backyard bird owners whose flocks might come in contact with wild waterfowl over the fall and winter. The messages haven’t changed much from earlier this year when ODA and its part- ners embarked on outreach fol- lowing two separate detections of highly pathogenic avian Get Results...List With Amy. Amy Johnson Broker, CSA 541 999-7875 Spindrift Way #405 – 5.74 beautiful, sloping acres with lake frontage, over- looking Mercer Lake, Pa- cific Ocean, mountains and coastline. Home site cleared and septic ap- proved. $199,900. #1636- 14684180 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 FLU OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR FALL influenza (HPAI) in backyard birds in Douglas and Deschutes counties, but those messages bear repeating. “Getting the word out about practicing good biosecurity is important 12 months a year, but fall and winter are especially critical because migration of waterfowl is taking place,” says ODA Avian Health Coordinator Madeline Benoit. “The cold and wet weather ahead of us actually helps the virus to sur- vive better and with a lot of people hiking or hunting in the fall, they could unknowingly track the virus home on their shoes and spread it to any back- yard birds they might have.” Outreach efforts ramped up following last December’s detection of HPAI in a flock of backyard birds in Douglas County. That kicked off imple- mentation of Oregon’s multi- agency response plan to bird flu which includes enhanced sur- veillance along with increased Beach Safety It’s Fall Beach Clean-up Time. Help Keep our Beaches Clean & BE SAFE! The 2015 Fall Beach Cleanup is Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 10am to 1pm Where: North Jetty Beach N. Jetty Rd., Florence, OR Safety Information Provided by: www.oregonstateparks.org WATCH THOSE LOGS The ocean is strong enough to pick up even the biggest log and plop it down on top of you. Some logs may look small, but even the tiny ones can be water- logged and weigh tons. How to play it safe: If you see a log in the surf or on wet sand, stay off it. Brought to you by these sponsors: Shawn Fle m Construct ing ion woodworkin g927@gmail CCB# 127088 .com 541-999-8 727 HIGH WAVES CAN REACH YOU Tides and waves can sweep over rocks, jetties and head- lands, knocking you off and carrying you out to sea. How to play it safe: Assume nothing is "high enough" and avoid exposed rocks, jetties and headlands during strong wave action (like during and after storms). Florence Glass Service 3661 Hwy. 101 Florence, Or 97439 541-997-5177 outreach and education, espe- cially to backyard bird owners. A second detection of HPAI in a Deschutes County back- yard flock in February provided additional impetus to reach bird owners throughout the state. While commercial poultry operations need to be prepared for dealing with HPAI, messag- ing about good biosecurity has focused on backyard bird own- ers. No commercial poultry in Oregon was affected by the outbreaks inside the state’s bor- der, even though commercial operators in other states were greatly impacted by HPAI out- breaks in the Midwest this year. “Since the two Oregon out- breaks, we’ve reached out to at least 8,000 people through bird shows, poultry swaps, and other events that attract back- yard flock owners,” says Benoit. The presence of ODA and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at these venues has helped deliver targeted mes- sages about improving biosecu- rity among backyard flocks. Outreach efforts extended to in-person presentations at 4-H events and county fairs this summer, even as fair managers, as a precaution, decided against allowing waterfowl on site. ODA and its partners will seek out other events and ven- ues this fall and winter. For some backyard bird owners, it will be news they have not yet heard. For others, the information will be a reinforcement of what Sailors from 1B needed to do, and it showed.” The bulk of Mapleton’s offense was generated by jun- ior quarterback Hunter Simington, who had 22 carries for 220 yards and three touch- downs, along with two trips into the end zone for AJ Foster, who also rushed for 111 yards against South Wasco. “Even though we came away with a solid win, we know we still have work to do,” said Greene. “That’s the mindset of this group, though — to always keep getting better.” SHS from 1B a time of 16:16.6 in the 5,000- meter race. The next Viking to cross the finish was junior Morgan Bingham in 53rd place (21:27.1), followed by senior Mikaela Siegel in 72nd place (22:17.5), senior Sierra Potter in 88th (22:53.2) and freshman Kaeli Ramos clocking a time of 23:38.5 for 103rd. they’ve heard before. If bird owners have let their guard down since February, it’s time to get re-engaged. “We will be saying a lot of the same things and hitting on the points about increased biosecurity,” says Benoit. “A key message for backyard bird owners is that they need to be more aware now, and think of how they can better protect their birds.” Some of the educational tools being employed were developed well before HPAI arrived to the Pacific Northwest. Others have since been developed. Infographics, pamphlets, posters, stickers, and info-magnets have been created and distributed to loca- tions that come in contact with bird owners, including animal feed stores. Packets of information have been sent to 4-H groups and others. A backyard bird biose- curity video features tips and general practices that empower people to protect their birds from avian influenza. A new video is in the works that focuses on educating hunters, falconers, birdwatch- ers, and other recreationists that might come into contact with wild waterfowl this fall and winter. In general, HPAI messaging to backyard bird owners falls into three categories– a focus on birds, a focus on the envi- ronment, and a focus on trans- portation and equipment. One important tip applies to birds in all situations, HPAI notwith- standing. “Check your birds for signs and symptoms of disease,” says Benoit. “Know what healthy birds look like. Keep their water and feeders clean, along with equipment that may come in contact with them. Quarantine new birds that you purchase for 30 days when they come into your flock. Buy birds from reputable sources.” Focusing on the environment is a bit more challenging since migratory waterfowl are seem- ingly everywhere in the fall. Benoit asks that bird owners be aware of introducing the virus on such things as bike and truck tires, equipment, and supplies. “The most crucial thing over the next several months is to keep your backyard birds away from wild waterfowl,” says Benoit, noting that the flock infected last year in Douglas County had access to a pond that was frequented by migrato- ry birds. “Don’t let them com- mingle, don’t let your birds free range with wild waterfowl. Don’t entice the waterfowl to come into your yard. For instance, don’t feed the wild ducks if they are on your prop- erty.” In addition to practicing good biosecurity, backyard bird owners should monitor their flock closely and report sick or dead birds to ODA at 1-800- 347-7028. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife continues asking peo- ple to report wild bird deaths by calling 1-866-968-2600. People should avoid contact with sick or dead wild and domestic birds. Mapleton’s defense was already running at full throttle, with Chet Geddes, Tyler Packebush and Simington each chiming in on a total of 11 sacks — four from Trevver D’Auteuil — and 14 tackles for a loss. The Sailors also nabbed three fumble recoveries. Geddes, who also competes on the school’s equestrian team, brought down 13 Redsides, along with eight from Packebush and six from Simington. Sophomore lineman Cole Spencer kept South Wasco’s passing game off balance by breaking up plays, Greene said. “A big part of our game was our special teams plays, especial- ly on punt and kickoff returns,” said Greene. “Packebush and Foster did a great job of getting us good field position the whole game.” Friday, the Sailors will be on the road once again, although a little closer to home this time, when they take on Mountain West rival Triangle Lake to open the league season. “We’re excited to see what we can do and how much we’ve improved,” said Greene. Kickoff for Friday’s matchup is set for 7 p.m. Other finishers included sophomore Lainey Goss (25:46) and junior Destinie Tatum (25:41.7). For the boys, Siuslaw was led by freshman Murray Bingham in 77th place with a time of 18:12.0, followed by sophomore Isaac Griffes in 96th (18:45.1), junior Sean Burns in 116th (19:15.8) and sophomore Kyle King finish- ing out the top five for the Viks in 119th place with a time of 19:17.0. The Viks will race in the 35th annual Prefontaine Run this Saturday, Sept. 19, begin- ning at 9:45 a.m. Siuslaw’s first home meet, the Woahink Invitational, will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The next will be Oct. 15, at Sandpines Golf Links, during the Run for the Brownies Inv. 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