Avian influenza has been identified in a Lewis County poultry flock, according to a news release from Lewis County Public Health and Social Service.

A backyard flock tested preliminary positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, as reported by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). 

According to the county, testing was completed after the owner of the flock reported sick and dying birds to the WSDA. Samples from the birds tested preliminary positive for H5N1 at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, according to the release. 

Confirmatory testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending. 

“Lewis County Public Health and Social Services is in contact with residents exposed to the infected birds to provide health education and to monitor for symptoms,” said Lewis County Health Officer Dr. Joe Wiley. 

No human illnesses related to the Lewis County flock have been reported. 

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a disease caused by infection with Type A viruses. 

“These viruses occur naturally in wild aquatic birds, but can also infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks and geese) and other bird species, as well as wildlife and domestic animals,” the county health department stated. “On rare occasions, bird flu 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 to environments contaminated with avian influenza.”

Earlier this month, Washington state health officials announced four agricultural workers tested presumptively positive for bird flu, the first presumed human cases in the state.

“The four worked with infected birds at an egg farm in Franklin County where 800,000 chickens were euthanized after testing positive Tuesday,” The Seattle Times reported. “The workers had mild symptoms and received antiviral medication. More worker testing is underway and ‘the number of cases under investigation may change,’ the department said. The likely infections would make Washington the sixth state to record human infections of the bird flu strain H5N1. Health officials have reported 27 human cases across the country this year, some after exposure to poultry and others after exposure to cattle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One case reported in Missouri last month involved someone with no known animal exposure.”

Although avian influenza is a highly contagious disease among birds, the risk of it spreading to the general public is low, the county health department stated in the release.  

“However, those with exposure to infected animals are at increased risk and should take precautions to protect their health. If avian influenza is suspected in your flock, wear appropriate personal protective equipment while caring for your birds, entering the coop or if you are in contact with any surfaces, water or feed that could be contaminated with their saliva, feces or other bodily fluids. Take steps to protect the health of your flock by reducing your poultry’s exposure to wild animals and birds.” 

Report sick or dead domestic birds to the WSDA’s Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056 or through https://fortress.wa.gov/agr/apps/rad/.