FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash. – Four agricultural workers at a commercial egg farm tested presumptively positive for avian influenza, or bird flu.
These are the first presumed human cases of the H5 virus under investigation in Washington. The outbreak occurred at the egg farm that had recently faced a significant bird flu outbreak among its poultry, leading to the euthanization of about 800,000 chickens.
If confirmed, these would be the first human cases in Washington since the state began tracking a rise in the disease around 2022.
Since 2022, it’s been reported that over two dozen human cases have been identified across five other states; Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, California and Texas.
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of October 18, over 103,000,000 poultry were infected with the virus. Washington state alone has seen the virus in 47 poultry flocks.
The recent chicken outbreak on the Franklin County farm necessitated testing of at least 25 people.
The four workers testing positive have not needed hospitalization. Local health officials report they are experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms like runny noses, sore throats, mild coughs and “pink eye.”
“What’s really concerning is that avian influenza is a very fatal disease of chickens and poultry, and we’ve also seen it infect shorebirds, waterfowl and a lot of other wildlife,” Dr. Amber Aitle, Washington State Department of Agriculture, said.
Health officials remain vigilant for any changes that might heighten the risk to humans.
“We don’t think there’s any indication that there’s any additional adaptations for mammals, and we hope it stays that way. So, we’re hoping that the risk remains low to the public. But we’re certainly continuing to watch that,” Aitle said.
Current risks to the general public are considered low, according to the CDC.
People who spend time around infected animals are more at risk.
NonStop Local reached out to farmers and the Washington Farm Bureau farmers for comments and concerns, but did not receive any responses.
