Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

Reporting

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a contagious disease that spreads among birds. It originated in wild aquatic birds, also called waterfowl, and has spread to other wild birds and animals, and to some domestic birds and animals. It can also spread to humans.

Human infection has occurred after close and prolonged contact with infected animals or their environment. The general public should avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds and other animals, and if you must come into contact with sick or dead birds – or other animals – or work in their environments, follow safety and reporting recommendations and protect yourself with personal protective equipment (PPE).

How Bird Flu Spreads

Infected birds and other animals shed the virus in their saliva, mucus, and feces. The virus can also be present in their tissues if they die. Infected cows can shed the virus in their milk. In highly contaminated areas, virus particles may be present in the air. Birds, animals, and humans can become infected if the virus enters their mouth, nose, or eyes.

Wild and Domestic Birds

Geese and ducks commonly carry and spread bird flu but may not appear sick. Raptors such as hawks, eagles and owls are highly susceptible to bird flu and are more likely to show signs of illness and become severely ill.

Bird flu can spread from wild birds to domestic birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, quail, and guinea fowl. These birds are highly susceptible and may die quickly after becoming infected. For the symptoms of bird flu in birds, see WSDA’s Avian Influenza.

For more on domestic birds, see Backyard Flock Owners and Bird Flu and Commercial Agriculture and Bird Flu.

Wild and Domestic Mammals

Wild and domestic mammals can also become infected by bird flu. Wild mammals susceptible to bird flu include squirrels, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and wild cats. Domestic mammals susceptible to bird flu include dairy cows and some pets, especially cats. Infected dairy cows can shed the virus in their milk, making raw milk and other dairy products unsafe for consumption. Milk and other dairy products that are pasteurized are safe to consume.

Domestic pets can become infected with bird flu if they come into contact with infected animals or their environments or if they consume contaminated raw milk, other raw dairy products, or raw meats. Domestic cats are highly susceptible to bird flu and can become seriously ill.

For more on pets, see Pet Owners and Veterinarians and Bird Flu.

Humans

People can become infected if the virus enters their mouth, nose, or eyes, or by consuming contaminated (raw) milk or meat products. Most cases have occurred through close and prolonged contact with infected animals or their environments, and without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Most human cases of bird flu in the United States have been mild; however, severe illness and death have occurred.

See CDC's graphic How Infected Backyard Poultry Could Spread Bird Flu to People (PDF).

Bird Flu Symptoms in People

Bird flu symptoms in people can include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Sore throat
Muscle or body aches
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Eye redness or irritation
Difficulty breathing
Runny or stuffy nose
Severe respiratory disease

If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to bird flu, contact your healthcare provider or your local health jurisdiction.

Current Situation and Data

Wild birds carry several strains of bird flu worldwide. The most widely circulating strain in the United States is H5N1. This strain was first detected in the U.S. in wild birds in January 2022. In Washington state, H5N1 was first identified in a backyard flock in May 2022.

H5N1 has since spread to domestic birds, including commercial poultry and backyard flocks, and to mammals, such as wild and domestic cats. In some states, dairy cattle have been infected.

The first human H5N1 case in Washington state was identified in October 2024 and was linked to close contact during a commercial poultry outbreak. In 2025, Washington also reported a human infection with H5N5, a strain not previously seen in humans. Other subtypes that have infected humans are, H6, H7, H9, and H10. CDC’s Avian Influenza Type A as more information on influenza virus subtypes.

Human Bird Flu Cases in Washington State Residents
Case Classification	Known Exposure	2024*	2025	Total
Confirmed	Poultry	11	1	12
Probable	Poultry	3	0	3
Total		14	1	15

*Washington residency could not be confirmed for one case in 2024.

View bird flu case data on Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Disease Dashboard.

Public Risk and Monitoring

CDC currently considers the risk to the general public to be low. To date, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of any bird flu strain in Washington state or the United States. Rare person-to-person spread has occurred internationally. See CDC's Global Human Cases with Avian Influenza A (H5N1), 1997-2026.

The bird flu virus changes, or mutates, easily. Each time a person or animal is infected, the virus can mutate in ways that make it easier to spread. If a person becomes infected with more than one influenza A virus at the same time, such as with human seasonal flu and bird flu, a new strain that easily spreads from person to person could develop.

Public health officials work closely with local, state, and federal partners across human and animal health to monitor bird flu activity in Washington. They provide prevention and response guidance, identify and monitor people exposed to infected birds and other animals, and provide testing and treatment when needed.

Protect Yourself from Bird Flu

The best way to prevent the bird flu is to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and other animals, do not allow your pets to come into contact with wild birds or other animals, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if you must handle sick or dead birds or other animals, or work in their environment.

Personal protective equipment includes coveralls, head covering, goggles, gloves, face mask, and boots.

Wear Protective Equipment

If you must handle sick or dead birds or other animals, or work in their environment, protect yourself by wearing PPE such as gloves, safety goggles (unvented or indirectly vented), a NIOSH-approved respirator rated N95 or greater, and rubber boots. See CDC's Identifying NIOSH Approved Respirators. Additional PPE like disposable fluid-resistant coveralls, boot covers, and disposable head or hair covers are also recommended for higher risk exposures. See our population-specific subpages for more information.

Disposing of a Dead Animal

If you have contacted WSDA, follow their instructions before and during disposal.
Put on PPE.
Pick up the carcass with an inside-out plastic bag or a shovel.
Place carcass in a second plastic bag and throw it away in a sealing trash can.
Disinfect contaminated tools and hard surfaces such as feeding and watering containers with a disinfectant such as 1 part bleach to 10 parts water or a benzalkonium chloride–based commercial disinfectant (for example, Lysol or a similar product).
1. Saturate the surface and allow the disinfectant to sit for 5–10 minutes.
2. Then wipe it away with a disposable cloth or paper towel.
3. Dispose of used cloths or towels in a sealed trash can.

Remove PPE and Disinfect

Carefully remove PPE after handling sick or dead animals or working in their environment. Throw away PPE that is disposable, and clean and disinfect reusable PPE, such as goggles and rubber boots, and any tools used. Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Launder clothing immediately.

Avoid Raw Dairy and Meats

Do not consume raw or undercooked food, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, or raw meats.
Do not allow your pets to consume raw milk or other dairy products, or raw foods, such as raw meat.