To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Counsel
Staff Name and Phone Number: Adam Brand, Deputy County Counsel (707) 565-2421
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Adoption of resolution proclaiming a local emergency due to Avian Influenza
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve a resolution of the Board of Supervisors proclaiming the existence of a local emergency due to the existence of Avian Influenza within the Sonoma County Operational Area.
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Executive Summary:
This item requests the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution proclaiming a local emergency due to the outbreak of Avian Influenza, first detected in the County on November 22, 2023.
Discussion:
On November 22, 2023, avian influenza-more commonly known as the bird flu-was detected at Reichardt Duck Farm near Two Rock, and five days later, the virus was discovered at Sunrise Farms off Bodega Avenue, about 2 miles away. This outbreak of avian influenza has forced the euthanasia of approximately 250,000 birds and could force the euthanasia of an unknown number of additional birds within the County.
Avian flu has been on the march across the country for nearly two years, carried primarily by waterfowl and other wild birds. Thus far, it has spread to 47 states and been detected in wild birds locally and turned up in commercial flocks Fresno, Merced, and San Benito counties since late October. The existence of the highly virulent avian influenza has created conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the County, which will require the provision of additional public safety and emergency services to address. Avian influenza spreads directly through airborne transmission but can also be transmitted when fecal matter from an infected bird comes in contact with feathers, feed, water or soil. Additionally, avian influenza can be spread through contaminated shoes, gloves, or equipment.
The waste from the destruction of the contaminated birds cannot be composted due to low water table conditions and will require that the material be trucked to the landfill and be disposed of as special hazardous waste.
California Government Code section 8630 empowers the Board of Supervisors to proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the Sonoma County Operational Area is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity. The conditions of extreme peril caused by the outbreak of avian influenza at the two locations described above are exacerbated by the virulent nature of the disease and how readily it can be transmitted. The special handling of the carcasses of the infected birds that will be necessary to protect the health and safety within the Sonoma County Operational Area will significantly strain local resources due to the unprecedented number of birds being destroyed.
Based on the foregoing facts, staff recommend that the Board adopt a resolution proclaiming a local emergency due to the avian influenza outbreak. This emergency proclamation lasts for a duration of 60 days and may be extended by Board for additional 60-day periods as needed. When conditions improve, staff will request the Board formally terminate the emergency.
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
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FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
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Attachments:
Resolution Proclaiming Local Emergency
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None