First Detection of Human Avian Influenza Confirmed In Washington

The Washington Department of Heath confirmed Friday a Grays Harbor resident was hospitalized with bird flu earlier this month.  DOH said the resident, an older adult with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms, which turned out to be H5N5, a type of avian influenza that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans.

The CDC and DOH considers the risk to the public, from this strain, To Be Low. 

The unidentified patient remains hospitalized.  Department of Health said the affected person has a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds.  The state Department of Agriculture and local health officials will test the birds to determine which animals may have H5N5.

About Avian Influenza 

Avian influenza is a disease caused by influenza type A viruses, which naturally occur in wild aquatic birds around the world. These viruses can infect other bird species, and, occasionally mammals, and can be deadly to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. On rare occasions, avian influenza viruses can infect people and make them sick. Most cases have occurred in people who were exposed to sick or infected animals. Reported human cases of avian influenza in the United States have ranged from mild to severe, with one fatality. 

The risk of avian influenza increases in the fall and winter because migratory birds can carry the virus and spread it to domestic animals including commercial poultry farms and backyard flocks. 

Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States. To ensure that human-to-human spread is not occurring, public health officials are contacting anyone who has been in close contact with the patient to monitor for symptoms and provide testing and treatment as needed.

Contact The WSDA If Backyard Birds Get Sick Or Die 

People with backyard poultry should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report illness to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by calling 1-800-606-3056 or On-line.

The Department of Health added it is especially important that people who may have exposure to sick birds get a seasonal flu vaccine.  While the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent bird flu infection, it reduces the risk of becoming sick with both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time. Though unlikely, infection with both viruses could result in the emergence of an avian influenza virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person,

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