'Highly Pathogenic' Bird Flu Detected In Pacific County

OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service are notifying the public after confirming the appearance of a "highly pathogenic" bird flu in Pacific County.

The infected birds were a backyard flock, and were not intended to be sold or eaten. The infections were identified thanks to the birds' owner, who noticed that several of the animals were sick and dying, and called for assistance. The birds were tested on Wednesday, and the WSDA confirmed Thursday that they were carrying a strain of the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

H5N1 viruses have been detected in commercial and backyard birds in 30 states, though this is the first time the virus has been confirmed in Washington. Though the virus has been spreading rapidly since it was first detected in late 2021, only two humans have been sickened. The latest patient was a Colorado resident who worked with infected poultry, and only suffered a few days of fatigue before fully recovering.

Still, the Washington State Department of Agriculture says it will take the necessary precautions to make sure the virus does not spread any further. The affected property has been placed in quarantine, and the sick birds are being euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the infected flock will not enter the food system, and the WSDA stresses that, thus far there have been no confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza in commercial poultry in Washington state.

As such, there are no immediate health concerns to the public, WSDA said. The bird flu does not affect poultry meat or egg products, and is only transmissible to humans who have close or lengthy unprotected contact with infected birds, particularly if they handle the bird's saliva, mucous and feces.

Commercial poultry farmers and backyard flock owners, however, are being warned to keep an eye out, and report any suspicious deaths or illnesses.

“We have a vigorous response plan but this development demonstrates how important good biosecurity can be, especially for backyard bird owners,” Dr. Amber Itle, state veterinarian, said. “We have not diagnosed the virus anywhere else in our domestic poultry population, but the presence of the virus in migratory waterfowl is a risk to backyard poultry. One step owners should take is preventing contact between their birds and wild birds.”

The WSDA says it has activated a multi-agency response plan, and will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service to capture and quarantine any other affected animals.

Bird owners who suspect their animals may have contracted the avian influenza, are urged to report their findings to the WSDA Avian Health Program by calling 1-800-606-3056.