Four workers at an egg farm in Southeast Washington’s Franklin County tested presumptively positive for avian influenza after working with infected poultry, according to state health officials.
The four are the first presumed human cases of H5N1 under investigation in Washington, though five other states have identified human infections with the highly infective virus amid multi-state outbreaks in poultry, dairy cattle, and wildlife.
Washington’s cases took place at a farm experiencing an avian influenza outbreak in chickens, according to a news release from the state health department. About 800,000 birds were euthanized after test results on Oct. 15 showed that they were infected with avian influenza.
The infected individuals had mild symptoms and were provided with antiviral medication. Their test samples were forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for final confirmation and analysis of the virus.
Additional testing of employees at the facility is pending and officials said the number of cases under investigation may change.
“Washington has monitored the spread of H5N1 closely since it was first detected in poultry in the state in 2022, and our state is prepared with the knowledge, relationships, and tools to minimize its impacts on our community,” Washington Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah said in the news release.
Officials say most cases of humans infected with the virus occur after prolonged, close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. The CDC considers the risk to the general public from this H5N1 avian influenza to be low, but cautions that people with job-related or recreational exposure to infected birds, cattle, or other potentially impacted animals are at higher risk on infection. Health officials reminded members of the public to never handle or allow pets near dead birds. For more information on safety precautions, visit https://doh.wa.gov/avian-influenza.
– Ted Sickinger is a reporter on the investigations team. Reach him at 503-221-8505, [email protected] or @tedsickinger
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