| A backyard chicken flock in Whatcom County has tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to a Nov. 20 news release from the Whatcom County Health and Community Services.
The risk of bird flu transmission to humans is possible but remains low among the general public, according to the statement.
There is currently no widely available vaccine for the bird flu.
The county has monitored the spread of the bird flu since it was first detected in Washington in 2022.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of bird flu HS5NI in humans in Whatcom County.
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Whatcom County officials reported that a backyard chicken flock had tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza in November. 20 Whatcom County Health and Community Services news release.
The statement states that although there is a chance of human bird flu transmission, the risk is still minimal for the general public. The risk is higher for people who come into close contact with animals that are infected.
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About 20 birds of various species, including ducks, chickens, and turkeys, were part of the impacted flock. According to the release, the remaining birds in the flock have been “depopulated” in order to lower the possibility of the disease spreading.
Individuals who frequently interact with birds, including hunters, agricultural workers, and hobbyists, are advised to wear protective gear and receive a seasonal flu vaccination. It is recommended that people who keep birds in their backyards limit their exposure to wild animals.
The vaccine for bird flu is not yet widely accessible. The release does state that yearly vaccination against seasonal flu can lower the risk of co-infection.
Since the bird flu was discovered in Washington in 2022, the county has kept an eye on its spread. There aren’t any confirmed human cases of bird flu HS5NI in Whatcom County at the moment. Nonetheless, human tests for the virus have come back positive in British Columbia and Washington state.
If any domestic birds or livestock are sick or dead, flock owners should contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture at WILDCOMM@dfw or 1-800-606-3056. Wa Dot Gov.
Unprotected human contact with sick or deceased animals, their surroundings, or surfaces tainted by nasal secretions, feces, saliva, or raw milk from possibly infected animals should be avoided.
At 3:01 PM on November 20, 2024, this story was first published.
