Washington St. Dept. of Agriculture: Migratory birds raise bird flu concerns: three additional poultry detections reported in Washington state

[Commonground]

October 24, 2024
OLYMPIA — As migratory birds return this fall, they bring heightened risks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has impacted 48 flocks in Washington State since 2022. Three recent detections in Washington state highlight this threat: confirmed cases were detected in Franklin County (October 15) and Kitsap County (October 17), and a case with preliminary positive results was reported in Lewis County on October 23.

The Lewis County case was the first detection in the county, making it the 18th county in Washington. The virus was found in a small backyard flock, and veterinarians from the Washington State Department of Agriculture are collaborating with the owners to contain the virus.

Dr. Amber Itle, State Veterinarian with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, emphasizes the urgency of the situation: "Every backyard flock is at risk right now,” she said. “Avian influenza is a very serious disease with serious implications for animal welfare. It's crucial to stay alert for any sudden illness and deaths in your flock and take steps in biosecurity.”

This disease is preventable and producers are urged to implement strict biosecurity measures. Avoid contact with wild birds, bring your birds undercover and away from ponds, regularly clean and disinfect coops and equipment, keep feed in containers and bring in at night, avoid mixing species (ducks and chickens) and monitor flocks closely for signs of illness.

No infected birds or eggs have entered the food supply and the risk to the general public remains low, vigilance is essential. Additionally, there are no confirmed or suspected cases on dairy farms in Washington state.
Human cases of bird flu are rare but can occur in people having direct contact with infected birds. Recently, CDC reported cases in 2 farmworkers working at an infected commercial poultry facility in Franklin County. The Washington Department of Health is spearheading the investigation into the human cases and is leading these efforts.

If unusual illness or mortality occurs in your flock, please call 1-800-606-3056 to report. For more information on avian influenza and safety recommendations, please visit our bird flu webpage.​

https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=40324

 

[Commonground]

CDC confirms two people in Washington infected with bird flu

Health officials say there are still no signs the disease is spreading person-to-person and that nobody who’s ill has been hospitalized.

Media. ​[bolding is mine]
OCTOBER 24, 2024​
Excerpts:

Washington’s Department of Agriculture is also reporting bird flu detections this month in two small backyard flocks — one in Kitsap County on Oct. 17 and another in Lewis County on Wednesday. The Lewis County incident is listed as “presumptive” by the department.​

Roberto Bonaccorso, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health, said health agencies are working to test more than 100 people. Some people will be tested more than once.
-snip-
The department also said that no patients have experienced severe illness or been hospitalized. Infected individuals had shown signs of mild upper respiratory illness, including runny nose, sore throat, and mild cough, as well as conjunctivitis — often referred to as “pink eye.”​

“Every backyard flock is at risk right now,” state veterinarian Amber Itle said in a statement. “Avian influenza is a very serious disease with serious implications for animal welfare. It’s crucial to stay alert for any sudden illness and deaths in your flock”​

-snip-
Monitoring of poultry in the area where the farm is located has been taking place. Dairy cows were being watched too since they’ve caught the virus in other states. On Thursday, the state agriculture department said there were no confirmed or suspected cases at Washington dairy farms.​

https://washingtonstatestandard.com...es have confirmed,egg farm in Franklin County.

 

[Treyfish]

CDC confirms two human cases of avian influenza in Franklin Co.


For immediate release: October 24, 2024 (24-127)

Contact: WA-DOH Communications All cases were poultry workers exposed to infected birds, no evidence of human-to-human transmission


OLYMPIA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that two people who had presumptive positive tests run by WA-DOH earlier in the week have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) after an outbreak at a commercial poultry farm in Franklin County (WA). Confirmatory test results on other samples are pending.

WA-DOH, Benton-Franklin Heath District (BFHD), and CDC have staff on site who are investigating exposures to workers and testing workers. Testing initially occurs at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory. Any presumptive positive test samples at the State Public Health Laboratory are sent to CDC for confirmation. Until CDC provides this confirmation of a positive result, it is considered presumptive positive.

There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time. All the identified infections are among workers who had contact with infected birds or their environments. No patients have experienced severe illness or been hospitalized.

WA-DOH, BFHD, and additional partners are providing personal protective equipment (PPE), outreach and education for the workers, and the community. Medications for exposed workers, and seasonal influenza vaccines are also being offered to workers.

Seasonal influenza vaccines do not protect against avian influenza infection, but they make it less likely that a person could get coinfected with both seasonal influenza and avian influenza at the same time. Coinfection increases the risk that a strain of avian influenza virus could arise that spreads easily from person-to-person. WA-DOH recommends seasonal influenza vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older, and they are also supporting efforts to make vaccine more available for agricultural workers across the state. Additional testing, contact tracing, and symptom monitoring is occurring for the impacted workforce.

Any employees or contractors who may have worked on a poultry farm in Benton or Franklin counties since October 7, 2024, should contact BFHD at 509-460-4550 if they have symptoms, such as red eyes, feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, or other influenza-like illness.

Avian influenza is a disease caused by influenza Type A viruses that naturally occur in wild aquatic birds throughout the world. These viruses can also infect other species of birds, and occasionally mammals, and can cause significant mortality in poultry.

On rare occasions, avian influenza viruses infect people and make them sick. Most instances of people becoming infected with avian influenza have happened after prolonged, close contact with animals infected with avian influenza or environments contaminated with avian influenza.

The CDC currently considers the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low; however, people with job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected domestic or wild animals, are at higher risk and should take precautions, including wearing PPE such as mask, gown, gloves, and eye protection.

People with backyard poultry should report any sick or dead birds to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) at 1-800-606-3056 or report sick domestic birds online.Veterinarians should report sick or dead domestic animals or livestock suspected of having avian influenza to WSDA: https://fortress.wa.gov/agr/apps/rad/.

Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report sick or dead wild birds or other animals to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. WA-DOH reminds the community to never handle or allow pets near dead birds or other wildlife. For more information on safety precautions, visit https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/avian-influenza.

The WA-DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and follow us on X (formerly Twitter). Sign up for the WA-DOH blog, Public Health Connection.​
:tiphat:
https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/cdc-confirms-two-human-cases-avian-influenza-franklin-co