Washington State Department of Agriculture

State proposes springtime eradications to protect communities from invasive pests

Pest Program is proposing eradication projects for the spring of 2026 to eradicate spongy moth and Japanese beetle. The eradication sites were proposed after the program completed analysis of 2025 ...
agr.wa.gov

WSDA confirms HPAI in Grant County

OLYMPIA – October 10, 2025 – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirms Grant County’s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1), commonly known as bird ...
agr.wa.gov

State vets office gives update on canine respiratory disease

OLYMPIA – With recent reports of an unidentified canine illness increasing across the nation, the Washington State Veterinarian is encouraging dog owners to be vigilant to keep their animals safe and ...
agr.wa.gov

Raw pet food identified as source of bird flu infection to house cats

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) are warning pet owners about the risks of raw pet food after indoor cats in Oregon became ...
agr.wa.gov

Washington State Veterinarian issues warning on Equine Herpes Virus in Spokane County

OLYMPIA – Over the weekend, the equine community in Spokane County was met with unfortunate news as two horses succumbed to the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) otherwise known as ...
agr.wa.gov

Giant hornet gets new name

OLYMPIA – The Entomological Society of America (ESA) has adopted “northern giant hornet” for the species Vespa mandarinia in its Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List. While there was no ...
agr.wa.gov

What horse owners need to know about Equine Herpes Virus

The equine community in Spokane County is on high alert after two horses tragically succumbed to the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), also known as Equine Herpesvirus ...
agr.wa.gov

Washington achieves stage 4 status in NMTS program: Dairy herds free of HPAI

Olympia — Washington State has reached Stage 4 status in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) program, confirming that no cases of bird flu or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been ...
agr.wa.gov

Chicks 101: A beginners guide to raising happy, healthy chickens

Raising baby chickens, or chicks, can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you're starting a backyard flock or simply enjoying the process of caring for these adorable creatures, it’s ...
agr.wa.gov

Grocery prices a top concern among Washington consumers

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Groceries were the most common expense reported as hard to afford in the past month, followed by housing, according to the latest WAFOOD survey. Rising food prices and the expiration ...
agr.wa.gov

Clearing the air — What to know about avian influenza and spring bird migration

As spring bird migration brings thousands of birds to Washington state, it also increases the risk of avian influenza (bird flu) spreading through the region. Migratory waterfowl like ducks, geese, ...
agr.wa.gov

Washington cats confirmed with HPAI as investigation into contaminated pet food continues

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is alerting pet owners that at least two domestic, indoor cats in King and Snohomish counties in Washington have become infected with ...