Bird flu found near Port Angeles in Clallam County, third county in state to be hit so far

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) — Avian flu has reached Clallam County. It's the third  county in Washington to be hit by the H5N2 bird flu.

The Peninsula Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/1yB4YnI ) the flu hit a backyard flock of ducks, chickens and geese east of Port Angeles. All 118 birds were destroyed.

This strain of bird flu is not harmful to humans, but it's contagious and deadly to birds. Officials plan to impose a ban on the movement of eggs in a 6-mile radius of the area. Once in place, inspectors will go door-to-door looking for sick or dead birds.

Avian flu is carried by wild ducks and spreads from their feces. State officials say backyard chicken and duck owners should to keep their fowl away from wild birds.

The virus has not been detected in the state's commercial poultry operations.

Bird flu previously has been found in birds in Whatcom and Benton counties.