Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a contagious disease that spreads among birds. It mostly infects wild aquatic birds, also called waterfowl such as geese, ducks, and swans. The virus can spread to other wild birds and animals, and to some domestic birds and animals. It can also spread to humans. Wild and domestic mammals can also be infected if they are exposed to infected birds or their environment.
Infected birds and other animals spread the virus through their saliva, mucus, and feces.
Human infection has occurred after close and prolonged contact with infected animals or their environment. People should avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds and other animals. If you must come into contact with sick or dead animals or work in their environments, follow safety and reporting recommendations and protect yourself with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Current Situation and Data
There are several strains of bird flu that wild birds carry worldwide. The most widely circulating, or common, strain in the United States today 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 a 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.
| Case Classification | Known Exposure | 2024* | 2025 | 2026 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | Poultry | 11 | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Probable | Poultry | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 14 | 1 | 0 | 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
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.
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. See CDC's Global Human Cases with Avian Influenza A (H5N1), 1997-2026.
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.
How Bird Flu Spreads
Infected birds and other animals spread the virus through their saliva, mucus, and feces. The virus can also be present in their tissues if they die. Animals can become infected if they hunt or eat an infected animal (such as eagles, hawks, racoons, foxes, wild or domestic cats). Infected 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. Birds, animals, and humans can become infected if the virus enters their mouth, nose, or eyes.
Wild and Domestic Birds
Wild birds such as geese and ducks commonly carry bird flu but may not show signs of sickness when infected. Raptors such as hawks, eagles, and owls also carry bird flu and are more likely to show signs of illness and become severely ill.
Domestic birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, quail, and guinea fowl are highly susceptible and may die quickly after becoming infected. People who own and/or work with birds and other animals, such as backyard flock owners and poultry or dairy workers, may be at higher risk for bird flu.
- Backyard Flock Owners and Bird Flu
- Commercial Agriculture and Bird Flu
- Avian Influenza in Domestic Birds and Animals, WSDA
Handout: How to Prepare for a Healthy Family and Flock (PDF)
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Wild and Domestic Mammals
Many wild mammals are susceptible to bird flu, including foxes, raccoons, skunks, and wild cats. Domestic mammals susceptible to bird flu include dairy cows and some pets. Domestic cats are highly susceptible to bird flu and can become seriously ill.
Domestic pets can also become infected with bird flu through contact with infected animals or their environments, or if they consume contaminated raw milk, other raw dairy products, or raw meats.
For more on bird flu and pets, see Pet Owners and Veterinarians and Bird Flu.
Bird Flu Symptoms in People
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 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.
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.
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.
Handout: Prevent Avian Influenza - Keep yourself and your family safe with PPE (PDF)
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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).
- Saturate the surface and allow the disinfectant to sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Then wipe it away with a disposable cloth or paper towel.
- 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.
Follow Audience-Specific Guidance
People who own or work with birds or other animals may be at higher risk of exposure to bird flu. Visit our audience-specific information on how to protect yourself, your family, and your animals.
- Backyard Flock Owners and Bird Flu
- Commercial Agriculture and Bird Flu
- Hunters and Wildlife Workers and Bird Flu
- Pet Owners and Veterinarians and Bird Flu