WASHINGTON STATE – Health officials in Washington are on alert as a Grays Harbor County resident tested positive for bird flu. The Washington State Department of Health is testing a sample, and if confirmed, this would mark the first human case of bird flu nationally in nine months.
Heather Hill, a public health nurse at the Benton-Franklin Health District, explained the rarity of human infections.
“So humans certainly can get it. It’s extremely rare, but it’s something we’re being very, very cautious about because our concern is we’re heading into flu season,” Hill said.
While there is no vaccine for bird flu, Hill emphasized the importance of being proactive.
“What we do encourage is humans to get their seasonal flu vaccine, to try to prevent coming down with seasonal flu and then ending up infected with the avian strain,” Hill said. “And that’s where the concern comes with intermixing of the material and having a new virus to worry about.”
Bird flu is commonly carried by wild birds but can also infect mice and other mammals. Recently, six house mice in Grant County tested positive for bird flu, according to the Grant County Health District. Hill noted that the Benton County Health District has been monitoring bird flu in the Columbia Basin and surrounding counties for many years.
“We’ve known that other animals outside of our waterfowl population have been found positive within the Benton and Franklin County area. So am I surprised at these six mice? Absolutely not. We suspect that they do carry it with them. And perhaps that could be how some infections happen in a poultry environment,” Hill said.
Hill advised keeping pets and backyard chicken flocks away from wild birds, their droppings and dead birds or rodents to prevent infection.
“The biggest message we have is do not let them intermingle with wild ducks. And that might mean making sure, depending on your property, whether it’s enclosed enough that wild birds don’t come in. So a backyard flock isn’t going to be infected unless something brings it in,” said Hill.
If you encounter an infected or dead animal, it is recommended to wear eye protection and gloves. The health district will continue to monitor bird flu cases across the state and counties, but Hill reassured that it is not yet a cause for alarm.
“People need to be conscientious. It isn’t time to worry, it is time just to be vigilant,” Hill said.
If a backyard chicken flock experiences sudden deaths or illnesses, report it to the Washington State Department of Agriculture or call 1-800-606-3056.
Report sick or dead wild birds or other animals online to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife.
More information about bird flu can be found here.
