Bird Flu in Washington: What You Need to Know

A person in Washington state has caught bird flu, and it's a type that hasn't been seen in humans before. This is the first time in nine months that someone in the US has gotten bird flu. The person is older, has other health problems, and lives in Grays Harbor County. They were put in the hospital early this month with H5N5 avian influenza. No one knows for sure how they got it, but officials think it might have something to do with backyard chickens. Bird flu spreads through saliva, mucus, and poop from infected animals. It can also spread through milk from dairy cows. The risk of getting bird flu goes up in the late fall and winter when birds migrate and mix with other animals. Bird flu has been around for a long time, but the latest outbreak in the US started in January 2022. This time, it's spreading more among mammals than it has in the past. There's no proof that bird flu can spread from person to person in the US. But health officials are still checking on people who might have been close to the sick person in Grays Harbor. They're looking for symptoms and offering tests and treatment. Even though the risk to the public is low, experts say the virus could still cause a pandemic.So far, there have been 70 human cases of bird flu in the US during this outbreak. One person died in January, and they were also elderly with other health problems. Most people who get bird flu have mild symptoms like red eyes and fever. But some cases have been severe. Most of the people who got sick work closely with animals. Some work with cattle, and others work with poultry. The CDC says that anyone who works with animals should wear the right protective gear and be careful around animal poop. The Washington State Department of Health says that people should wear gloves when cleaning up bird feeders or other areas with bird poop. They should also disinfect the area with a mix of one part bleach to 10 parts water or a commercial disinfectant like Lysol spray. People should also avoid touching sick or dead wildlife. If they have to dispose of a dead bird, they should wear a well-fitting face mask and disposable gloves. They should also use an inside-out plastic bag to pick up the carcass. The health department suggests double-bagging the bird and disposing of it in a sealed trash can so other animals don't try to eat it. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards. People should also avoid eating uncooked, undercooked, or unpasteurized food like raw cheese or raw milk. The health department also recommends getting a flu shot. Although the regular influenza vaccine can't protect against bird flu, it reduces the slight chance that someone could get sick with both viruses at once and cause the bird flu virus to mutate into something that would spread easily among humans.