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Washington State - Avian influenza in mammals and livestock 2024-2026

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www.yakimacounty.us

Media Releases | Yakima County, WA

Yakima Health District Media Release library to the public
www.yakimacounty.us www.yakimacounty.us
 

Washington State Confirms 3rd Dairy Herd Infected With H5N1​





#19,377

Since 2024 Washington State has seen scores of HPAI outbreaks in poultry, and more than a dozen confirmed and probable human infections related to exposure to poultry and/or wild birds.

Eight days ago (Oct 9th), however, their WSDA confirmed their first detection of avian influenza in dairy cattle (herds=2).
Click to expand...
Yesterday, Washington State reported their first (reportedly mild) human infection with H5N1 derived from an (unspecified) dairy exposure.


Details on this latest case remain scant, and yesterday's CDC FluView Report (wk 40) did not include this case, reporting:

Novel Influenza A Virus Infections
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No new confirmed human infections with a novel influenza virus were reported to CDC as of October 14, 2026.
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The CDC's A(H5) Bird Flu: Current Situation webpage was updated on the 15th, showing the latest dairy-associated case (see below). Presumably we'll get an update in next week's FluView.




In the meantime, the USDA has added a 3rd dairy herd from Washington State to their HPAI positive list. Other than the one-line entry (below), I've seen no other information on this outbreak.





Thus far, the genotype of the virus infecting Washington Cattle (likely either B3.13 or D1.1) - and the recent human case - have not been announced, nor do we know exactly what kind of exposure the recent human case had.


For more than 2 years the CDC, the USDA, and state agricultural agencies have urged the use of PPEs for farm workers, and anyone else who might be exposed to infected livestock or birds.




While recommended, the use of PPEs has been suboptimal, particularly on farms and ranches. They can be hot, cumbersome to wear, and difficult to don and doff properly. (see MMWR: PPE Use by Dairy Farmworkers Exposed to Cows Infected with HPAI A(H5N1) Viruses — Colorado, 2024).


Over the past 30 days the number of infected backyard flocks vs. commercial flocks has run nearly 2 to 1, and over the course of the past 4+ years the number of backyard flock (n=1227) outbreaks have exceeded commercial outbreaks (n=1048).
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Although the risks of infection are believed low, we've already seen at least two fatalities (here, and here) in the United States from H5Nx following `. . . exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.'

The APPA estimates `Eleven (11) million U.S. households own backyard chickens (a 28% increase from 2023)', yet a recent survey (see MMWR: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Avian Influenza Among Owners of Backyard Flocks) found significant gaps in their knowledge of dealing with avian flu.
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CDC+Bird+flu+prevention.JPG


Although it is too early to predict what kind of avian flu season we will see this fall and winter - or whether any new genotypes will be added to the mix - we are already seeing signs of increased activity.

Which means, if you raise backyard birds, frequent live markets, or have outdoor pets, now would be a good time to familiarize yourselves with the risks of avian flu, and the things you can do to reduce those risks to you and your families.

UF/IFAS Extension: What Backyard Flock Owners Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)
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CDC Guidance on Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals
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https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2026/10/washington-state-confirms-3rd-dairy.html
 

Washington State Confirms 5 More Dairy Herds Infected With H5N1 (n=8)​



Credit Washington State Dept Ag.

#19,380

Not quite 2 weeks ago the USDA/APHIS announced the first detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in Washington State, which was followed a week later by the first (reportedly mild) human H5N1 infection reported in the U.S. in 2026 (see Washington State Confirms Human Avian Flu Infection).

Details, such as the genotype, how cattle may have been infected, and the exact exposure (apparently, dairy cattle related) of the human case have yet to be released. On Oct 8th, the USDA stated "APHIS will complete genetic sequencing and announce final results as soon as they are available.", but thus far I've seen nothing published.
Click to expand...



Screenshot taken today, Oct 20th, 2026.


Three days ago I posted Washington State Confirms 3rd Dairy Herd Infected With H5N1, which was apparently reported on the 15th. Yesterday the USDA and Washington State Department of Agriculture added 5 more herds, all reportedly in Yakima County.




Other than the above updated dashboards and graphics, I've found no other information on these latest developments.


As mentioned previously, Washington is one of the few U.S. states that allows the sale of raw milk in grocery stores, natural food markets, food co-ops, and direct-to-consumer farm stores.
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While I'm confident that pasteurization effectively kills the H5N1 virus in commercial milk, raw milk (and milk products) are a different matter. In 2024 and 2025 we saw a number of high profile reports of pets infected with H5N1 via raw milk and/or raw pet food (see Washington State (WSDA) Announces 2 Households with H5N1 Infected Cats Linked to Raw Food).

On Oct 8th, the State of Washington issued this warning:

Dairy product safety
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Pasteurization inactivates viruses and bacteria in milk, including HPAI virus, helping ensure the safety of the dairy supply. Infected cows can shed the virus in their milk, making raw milk and other raw dairy products unsafe for consumption. Avoid raw dairy product consumption, and do not allow your pets to consume raw milk or other dairy products, or raw foods such as raw meat.
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But given the sotto voce release of information on these recent events, it isn't clear how well that message is getting out.


https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2026/10/washington-state-confirms-5-more-dairy.html
 

Washington State: H5N1 Detections in Cattle Triple (n=27) - 2nd County (Benton) Affected​




#18,389


While it hasn't shown up yet on the USDA's H5N1 in Livestock dashboard, the number of dairy herds in Washington State infected with HPAI has jumped from 9 late last week, to 27, with a second county (Benton) now reporting an infected herd.

Less than 3 weeks ago (Oct 8th) the USDA/APHIS announced the first detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in Washington State, which was followed a week later by the first (reportedly mild) human H5N1 infection reported in the U.S. in 2026 (see Washington State Confirms Human Avian Flu Infection).
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Other than the (above) update to the Washington State Dept. Agriculture dashboard, I have found no other public announcement of this jump in detections.

Yesterday, the WSDA did publish a statement on the detection of H5N1 in a second county, which also states:

Media note: WSDA will issue a news release for each new county with confirmed HPAI in cattle. Subsequent detections in previously announced counties will be posted online.
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Excerpts from yesterday's announcement follow:

WSDA confirms HPAI in dairy herd in Benton County

OLYMPIA – Oct. 26, 2026 – Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in a Benton County dairy herd. The virus was detected by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) through routine surveillance, and the finding was confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).

The dairy herd is under quarantine and has employed strict biosecurity measures. Veterinarians are working to treat sick cows. Pasteurized milk products remain safe for consumers, and milk supply shortages are not expected. WSDA urges dairy farmers statewide to report any clinical signs of illness to their veterinarian, including:



  • Changes in milk appearance (thicker, often yellowish to brown)
  • Decreased milk production
  • Decline in feed intake
  • Fever
  • Respiratory symptoms
  • Changes in manure
  • Steep drop in rumination and rumen motility
If you notice any of these signs, isolate affected animals and contact your veterinarian and WSDA at 360-902-1878 or ahealth@agr.wa.gov. Most cattle affected by HPAI recover with supportive care with full herd recovery typically taking 4-6 weeks.

“Seeing the virus move to another county is disappointing but our dairy farmers are working hard to implement their biosecurity plans, share lessons learned and help each other get through this,” said Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle, VMD, MS. "This isn’t new for the country, but it is new for Washington. I’ve been in awe of how hard our veterinarians and dairy farmers work together every day to keep their cows healthy, keep their workers safe and keep operating despite all the uncertainty this virus brings with it. This detection was through routine surveillance enabling us to detect the virus before cows got sick. We hope this will help us to implement measures on farm to prevent transmission within or between other dairy or poultry facilities.”

HPAI can spread between dairy cattle through infected animals and contaminated milk, equipment, vehicles, clothing, footwear and other materials or people that move between farms. Wild birds can also carry HPAI, but they are not considered the primary source of spread of the virus that affects dairy herds.

Poultry are also highly susceptible to HPAI. Other states have reported infections in commercial and backyard poultry flocks near dairy farms affected by H5N1. Poultry owners, including those who keep backyard flocks, should remain vigilant for signs of illness and practice strong biosecurity to help reduce the risk of infection.

(Continue . . .)
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According the WSDA, there are nearly 400 dairy farms in Washington State, which suggests that over the past 3 weeks roughly 7% of their dairy herds have tested positive for H5N1.

Dairy product safety
Click to expand...
Pasteurization inactivates viruses and bacteria in milk, including HPAI virus, helping ensure the safety of the dairy supply. Infected cows can shed the virus in their milk, making raw milk and other raw dairy products unsafe for consumption. Avoid raw dairy product consumption, and do not allow your pets to consume raw milk or other dairy products, or raw foods such as raw meat.
Click to expand...

While the State of Washington posted the above warning on October 8th, Washington allows the sale of raw milkin grocery stores, natural food markets, food co-ops, and direct-to-consumer farm stores.

Hopefully, the public is taking these risks seriously.



https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2026/10/washington-state-h5n1-detections-in.html
 
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All About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Posted on 10/26/2026
All About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)


Current Situation

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) have confirmed the first detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in one dairy farm in Benton County. Dairy cattle in a total of 19 states have been infected since the start of the outbreak in March 2024.

See our media release here.

The Benton-Franklin Health District is in contact with the impacted dairies to monitor and protect the health of people exposed to the infected cattle. The Benton-Franklin Health District can help coordinate testing for any exposed person who develops symptoms to ensure prompt identification and appropriate treatment for any human cases. WSDA has been working with the farms to employ strict biosecurity measures and quarantining the infected cattle.

There are currently no confirmed human cases of avian influenza in Benton County.

Human infections with avian influenza viruses are rare, and the risk to the general public remains low.

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is a virus that primarily affects wild birds. It can also spread to domestic birds and other animals, including dairy cattle, and occasionally infect people.

People can become infected through close contact with infected animals or environments contaminated with the virus. People who work with or handle infected animals may be at greater risk of exposure.

There is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission of avian influenza.

How does avian influenza spread?

Infected birds and other animals can spread the virus through saliva, mucus, and feces. People and animals may become infected when the virus enters the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Infected dairy cattle can also shed the virus in their milk. Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume, but raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products may contain the virus and should be avoided.

How can I protect myself?

The risk to the general public is low.

The best way to prevent the bird flu is to:

  • Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and other animals.
  • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if you must handle sick or dead birds or other animals, or work in their environment.
  • Avoid raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products because they may contain harmful germs, including avian influenza. Do not feed pets raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, or raw meat, including raw pet foods.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the seasonal flu vaccine. Although it does not prevent bird flu, it reduces the risk of co-infection with human and avian influenza viruses.
Avian Influenza Guidance for Dairy Workers

Avian Influenza Guidance for Poultry Workers

What are symptoms of avian influenza in people?

Avian influenza symptoms in people can include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Eye redness or irritation
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Severe respiratory disease

Is milk safe to drink?

Pasteurization kills viruses and bacteria in milk, including HPAI virus, helping ensure the safety of the dairy supply. Infected cows can shed the virus in their milk, making raw milk and other raw dairy products unsafe for consumption. Avoid raw dairy product consumption, and do not allow your pets to consume raw milk or other dairy products, or raw foods such as raw meat.

Resources


 
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