In the vicinity of Tri-Cities, Washington state has confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial bird flock this year.
Although it did not name the farm, the Washington State Department of Agriculture said late Friday afternoon that H5N1 bird flu was spreading in a sizable commercial chicken flock in Franklin County.
But it comes after two outbreaks: one in 2022 at a one-million-chicken Oakdell egg farm north of Pasco, and another in 2024 at an unidentified large commercial poultry facility in the same county.
A cat in Oregon was put down.
The Department of Agriculture most recently stated that on Wednesday, January 22, a big enterprise in Franklin County reported a high number of unexpected deaths in their hens. The other hens were sluggish and seemed ill.
Late Friday, tests conducted at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories verified that the chickens were infected with bird flu, a disease that spreads quickly among poultry and can cause serious sickness or even death.
According to the Department of Agriculture, in order to contain an outbreak and ensure that chicken products from the contaminated flock are not utilized for human consumption, all birds on a farm must be put down quickly.
Eggs are ruined.
A Franklin County farm experienced an outbreak in October 2024 that resulted in the death or euthanasia of 800,000 hens.
The current outbreak farm in Franklin County has been placed under quarantine, and state and federal officials are keeping an eye on flocks within roughly six miles of the farm to check for symptoms. To transport safe poultry products into or out of the quarantine zone, other farms must get a state permit.
The first time the virus was thought to have infected humans in Washington state was during the Franklin County outbreak in 2024. The farm had suspected or confirmed instances of avian influenza in at least eight of its employees.
It was believed that migratory waterfowl had infected the Franklin County hens, and that the sickness had spread from the chickens to farm laborers.
Although there have been no reports of the virus spreading from person to person, Louisiana reported the first H5N1 bird flu death earlier this month.
Public health officials and the Washington state Department of Agriculture are collaborating to identify individuals who have been exposed to the virus and to offer testing and treatment, if necessary.
State health officials in Washington say there is little risk to the public. However, officials in charge of agriculture and health are keeping a tight eye on the virus to see if it changes in any way that would make it more harmful to humans.
As the avian flu virus continues to infect commercial flocks across the country, it is anticipated that egg costs will continue to rise and that there will be a shortage of eggs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus has now been found in 136 million wild birds as well as birds in backyard flocks and commercial chicken flocks.
Owners of domestic bird flocks should contact the state’s Sick Bird Hotline at 800-606-3056 if several birds exhibit unexpected illnesses or fatalities.
Three commercial flocks, all in Franklin County, and fifty-one household flocks have contracted avian influenza, or H5N1, since the virus was initially identified in Washington state in 2022. Utilizing the biosecurity precautions listed at poultrybiosecurity.org is advised for bird owners.
According to Washington state veterinarian Amber Itle, the best defense for domestic flocks is to keep them away from wild birds.
Using an online monitoring self-reporting tool, backyard flock owners are requested to notify the state of any sick or sluggish birds or bird deaths. In the event that several birds unexpectedly pass away, owners should contact the sick bird hotline at 800-606-3056. The birds should then be double bagged and placed on ice in a cooler until samples can be taken by state veterinarians.
Individuals should notify the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife at wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/diseases/bird-flu if they come across wild aquatic birds that might be ill or may have passed away thanks to avian influenza.
According to the Department of Health, people who are around infected cattle, birds, or other animals are more likely to become ill and should take preventative measures including wearing personal protective equipment.
Additionally, it cautions people against handling dead birds and to keep dogs away from them.
A cat in Washington County that occasionally interacted with ducks and geese tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza, according to a report released by the Oregon Department of Agriculture on Friday.
According to the report, cats are more vulnerable to contracting the illness than dogs.
The Benton Franklin Health District states that when handled and prepared correctly, chicken, eggs, and other poultry products are safe to consume.
It suggests:
* Clean and sterilize tools and work surfaces, then wash your hands.
* Avoid washing poultry.
* To prevent cross-contamination, keep raw and cooked meat apart.
* Poultry should be cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
* Store poultry at 40°F or lower, or at 0°F or lower in the freezer.
The News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington, 2025. Go to The News Tribune’s website. Tribune Content Agency, LLC is the distributor.
