First presumed human infections of avian flu under investigation in WA
By Dan Thesman on Monday, October 21st, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Four agricultural workers tested presumptively positive for avian influenza after working with infected poultry at a commercial egg farm in Franklin County. The individuals experienced mild symptoms and have been provided with antiviral medication. Testing of additional individuals on the farm is currently pending and the number of cases under investigation may change.
These are the first presumed human cases of H5 virus under investigation in Washington state. The cases took place at a farm that was the site of an avian influenza outbreak in chickens. About 800,000 birds were euthanized after test results by the Washington State Department of Agriculture on Oct. 15 showed that they were infected with avian influenza.
The Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) conducted health checks of exposed workers and coordinated testing at the Washington State Public Health Lab. The samples have been forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for final confirmation and analysis of the virus.
Benton-Franklin Health District and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) are working with the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the CDC on the regional response to this outbreak. DOH and BFHD have provided personal protective equipment to workers on the farm, are monitoring exposed workers for symptoms of avian influenza, and are providing testing, vaccines, and treatment for symptomatic workers.
Any employees or contractors who may have worked on a poultry farm in Benton or Franklin counties since Oct. 7 should contact BFHD at 509-460-4550 if they have symptoms such as red eyes or respiratory infections.
