Avian Influenza

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally in wild aquatic birds, but can also infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl) and other bird species, as well as wildlife and domestic animals. On rare occasions, bird flu viruses infect people and make them sick. This typically has only happened to people who have had close contact with avian influenza-infected birds or other animals or to environments where infected animals are or have been present.

Current events

A strain of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been circulating in wild birds around the world and was first detected in the U.S. in January 2022. This avian influenza strain has also infected domestic poultry, including commercial and backyard flocks, as well as wild and domestic mammals and was first identified in Washington state in a backyard flock in May 2022.

Public health officials work closely with local, state, and federal partners to monitor avian influenza in Washington state. Public health officials identify people exposed to infected animals to provide prevention recommendations, conduct symptom monitoring, and provide testing and treatment when indicated. The first human cases of H5 avian influenza were reported in Washington state in October 2024. To date, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of avian influenza in Washington state.

Human avian influenza cases in Washington state residents*
  Total human cases (H5) Known Exposure: Poultry, Bovine, Other
Confirmed 11 Poultry
Probable 3 Poultry
Total 14  

 

  • The above table was last updated Nov. 6, 2024.
  • The above table will be updated as needed with the total number of human cases of avian influenza identified in Washington state.
  • Total human cases include both confirmed and probable cases of novel influenza A.
  • Washington residency could not be confirmed for one case with exposure to poultry in Washington.*

*Updates to national public health reporting and notification of novel influenza A infections were approved by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) in June 2024 and enacted in September 2024. Whether a case is counted as confirmed or probable is determined after completion of a public health case investigation and takes into account a person's exposure to avian influenza virus, whether confirmatory testing at the CDC was negative or positive, and whether a person experienced symptoms of illness. The specific criteria used to determine if a case is confirmed, or probable is based on a standardized case definition for public health surveillance which allows states to apply the same criteria and to count cases in the same manner for national reporting.

What's happened and where?

  • Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Bird Flu webpage for current and past detections of avian influenza in poultry and other domestic animals in Washington state.
  • Statewide bird and other animal testing and monitoring by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife occur as needed.
  • Both the CDC and USDA provide updated information on positive detections of H5N1 in humans and animals across the country.

How does avian influenza spread from birds and animals to people?

Birds and other animals infected with avian influenza shed the virus in their saliva, mucous and feces. Infected dairy cattle also shed the virus in milk. People can become infected if the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth or if it is breathed in.

Bird flu infections in people are rare and most commonly occur after prolonged contact with infected birds or other animals while not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

How can my backyard birds spread flu?

How bird flu spreads from poultry to people infographic

Should I be concerned?

  • CDC currently considers the risk to the general public's health to be low. However, people who have job-related or recreational contact with infected animals, or those who own poultry, livestock, or other animals, should be aware of the risk of exposure to avian influenza so that they can take proper precautions and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Sporadic human cases infected with the currently circulating H5N1 strain have been reported worldwide and within the United States. To-date, most people infected with H5N1 report significant contact with infected animals, or with heavily contaminated environments where infected animals have been present, and human-to-human transmission is not suspected. For more information, see the CDC's H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation webpage.
  • As a precautionary measure, people who have had known contact with infected birds or other animals will be contacted by public health to discuss exposure risk and symptom monitoring to ensure prompt testing and treatment of any suspected human cases.

What can I do?

You should wear recommend personal protective equipment (PPE) if you have direct or close (within six feet) contact with sick or dead wild and domesticated animals, their feces, or anything in their environment or when entering any structures where there are sick or dead animals present. Do not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or related uncooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw cheeses.

Recommended PPE and how to safely remove it

Hunting

  • Hunters should follow standard safety steps to avoid potential exposure to avian influenza and other viruses or bacteria. Hunters' Fact Sheet (PDF)

Sick and dead wildlife

  • Avoid contact with wildlife and observe only from a distance.
  • Report sick/dead domestic birds to the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Avian Health Program: 1-800-606-3056.
  • Report sick/dead domestic animals to the Washington State Department of Agriculture through their online reporting form.

You and your flock or farm

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Available PPE for dairy producers, poultry producers, milk processing facilities, slaughterhouses, or other facilities that routinely handle animals or animal products that might be infected with HPAI H5N1:

Washington state has PPE in stock and can make it available to your facility upon request. Currently, available PPE includes disposable gloves, face masks, and eye protection including safety goggles, safety glasses, and face shields. This is a one-time provision of PPE. Should you have sick animals or a detection of H5N1 on your farm, this may serve as a stopgap until you can order more and in an ongoing way.

Once you complete the online DOH PPE Request Form, we will fill the order and cover shipping of the PPE which will be provided to the address you provide. The amount of PPE that is sent will be calculated based on the number of employees and farm personnel (veterinarians, nutritionists, consultants, etc.) that are entered into the online order form.

How will I know about new information?

We will update our website with new health-related information as needed.

More information