New H5N1 case reported in Pacific Northwest. Here’s how to protect yourself from bird flu
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the USDA announced one of five pigs on a farm in Crook County, near Bend, Oregon has tested positive for avian flu, or H5N1. The five pigs and 70 birds on the backyard farming property were euthanized to prevent further spread after the virus was detected on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
The first case of bird flu being found in a pig in the U.S. comes on the heels of at least eight workers at a Franklin County, Washington commercial egg farm testing positive for avian influenza in October, according to preliminary results. Two more cases were reported in birds from backyard flocks in Kitsap and Lewis Counties as of Oct. 23.
Avian influenza, also known as H5N1 or bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads among birds, and can infect livestock and in rare instances can infect humans, according to the Mayo Clinic.
McClatchy News previously reported that first human cases of avian influenza in Washington were tied to the outbreak at a farm in Franklin County. It is believed that the cases were caused by migrating waterfowl spreading the virus to domestic chickens and domestic birds.
But how do humans become infected and what can you do to protect yourself from the bird flu?
How do people get the bird flu?
Although it is rare, people can be infected with the bird flu. Human cases are primarily in people who work in close proximity to infected birds, poultry or other animals. There is little risk of human-to-human spread at this time.
A person can become infected with bird flu if the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth or if it is breathed in, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
“People most often catch a bird flu virus from close, long-term contact with live, domesticated poultry typically on farms or in backyard coops,” states the Mayo Clinic website. “People also may catch bird flu through contact with wild birds or another type of animal. Bird flu rarely has spread from person to person.”
That said, there have been human cases in six states in 2024 so far, including nine confirmed cases in Washington, according to the CDC.
Matthew Binnicker, director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic stated in a Mayo Clinic article that although the risk of human infection is low, “it’s crucial to take preventive measures and ensure diagnostic tools and treatments.”
Washington’s DOH website advises that people who work in close contact with domestic or wild animals, or those who own poultry, livestock or other animals, to take proper precautions and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while in close proximity to animals.
Can I get bird flu from dairy products or other food?
People can be exposed to bird flu through under-cooked food such as eggs or poultry, as well as through raw dairy products that come from dairy cows that have been infected with the bird flu, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Dairy products that have been through the pasteurization process, which is when dairy products are heated to kill bacteria, are not at risk of bird flu because this process inactivates the virus. Dairy products such as the milk we drink is safe if it has been pasteurized and any animal products such as eggs, beef or chicken are safe to eat as long as they are cooked to the recommended internal temperature.
McClatchy News previously reported that the cases in the state of Washington involved two backyard flocks and a commercial poultry operation, but there have been no confirmed or suspected cases on dairy farms. Many birds at the Franklin County commercial poultry operation suddenly died on Friday, Oct. 11 and many more that were showing signs of illness were euthanized.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed previously to McClatchy that no infected birds or eggs have entered the food supply and the immediate risk to the general public of the current strain of the virus remains low.
How worried should I be?
The CDC is characterizing the risk to humans of this bird flu outbreak as low, and monitoring the situation and working with states to monitor individuals that have been exposed to the virus.
Binnicker stated in a Mayo Clinic article that another concern, besides the infection among commercial poultry, is the increasing rate of infection in mammals.
Carla Prock, senior manager of community health in the Benton Franklin district, previously told McClatchy news that three CDC employees are in Tri-Cities to provide help.
What are bird flu symptoms in humans?
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus that affects the nose, throat and lungs, and therefore bird flu symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Bird flu symptoms typically show up within seven days of coming into contact with the virus and can be mild to serious.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common bird flu symptoms include:
Fever
Problems breathing
Pink eye
Upset stomach and vomiting
Diarrhea
If you know you have been exposed to bird flu and have any symptoms of illness, see a healthcare professional right away.
How can I prevent bird flu?
There are many ways to prevent or lower the risk of getting the bird flu.
The Mayo Clinic suggests that people traveling to places where the bird flu is spreading stay away from poultry farms and bird markets, as well as ensuring they are cooking their food fully and washing their hands properly with soap and water after handling food and animals.
People can also take the following actions to lower the risk of getting bird flu, according to the Mayo Clinic:
Avoid contact with any animals, wild or domestic, that are sick, may be sick or are dead
Wear proper protective equipment when needed to prevent the virus from entering your body through your mouth, nose or eyes
Wash your hands with soap and water especially after handling animals or touching surfaces that may be exposed to animal mucus, saliva or stool
This story was originally published October 30, 2024 at 3:46 PM with the headline "New H5N1 case reported in Pacific Northwest. Here’s how to protect yourself from bird flu."
