WSDA Blog

Date: Monday, December 23, 2024

Author: Kim Vaughn

*12/24/2024 update: 

Oregon released information today linking a domestic cat death with raw pet food that tested positive for the virus. 

 

Since May 2022, Washington has detected bird flu in 51 backyard and two commercial flocks in 19 counties. When it didn’t hit us during the spring bird migration season of 2024, we were hopeful that it would pass us by completely. That hope now is a distant thought, with six new detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or H5N1 in WA backyard poultry alone since October. These detections coincide with reports from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) of the virus in a variety of wild birds including geese, ducks, and swans.

HPAI: Beyond birds

There are many species, including birds of prey and carnivorous mammals, that are susceptible to HPAI, usually through ingestion of infected carcasses. In addition to birds and poultry, H5N1 viruses have been detected in wild, captive, and domestic cats in several states in the last few weeks. In Washington, there have been recent reports of wild cougars and in captive wild felids. Infection may cause illness, including severe disease and death.

Investigations into recent captive wild cat cases of HPAI are ongoing, with state and federal partners collaborating to better understand the virus’s transmission and impact. If you have a domestic cat that dies suddenly or shows signs of a neurologic condition, contact your veterinarian. WSDA can support testing of domestic cats with consistent history and clinical signs.

Another potential risk is the feeding of raw animal food products that are not heat-treated to kill pathogens. This includes feeding raw or under-processed poultry and dairy products to domestic animals or captive wildlife. Such practices can introduce the virus to susceptible animals, further complicating efforts to control its spread. The CDC does not recommend feeding raw pet food or treats or raw milk to dogs and cats.

State and federal partners are collaborating to better understand the virus’s transmission and impact. 
 

Active surveillance

Testing for HPAI is crucial to achieve disease freedom from this virus in Washington. WSDA works closely with USDA and the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) to perform routine surveillance to ensure products are safe prior to entering the food system. WADDL has performed over 18,000 tests in poultry this year alone to provide consumer confidence and safeguard animal health. 

On December 6, 2024, USDA announced a Federal Order requiring additional testing of dairy milk. To date, Washington has no detections of HPAI in cattle with over 800 negative tests. This industry-led proactive surveillance strategy will continue indefinitely to enhance early detection and eradication efforts.   

Biosecurity: A shared responsibility

The presence of HPAI in the environment underscores the importance of robust biosecurity practices. Whether you are a backyard flock owner or someone caring for animals at a farm or other facility, these measures can help reduce the risk of infection and protect both animal and human health:

1. Limit contact: Avoid direct contact between your birds and wild birds, particularly waterfowl, which are natural carriers of HPAI.
2. Secure feed and water sources: Ensure that feed and water are not accessible to wild birds.
3. Practice cleanliness: Regularly clean and disinfect equipment, clothing, and footwear before and after interacting with your animals.
4. Monitor health closely: Be vigilant for signs of illness in your animals, such as respiratory distress, lethargy, or sudden death, and report any unusual mortality events to animal health authorities.
5. Use heat-treated products: Only feed animals processed food products that have been heat-treated to eliminate potential pathogens.

We can’t stress enough the importance of vigilant monitoring and enhanced biosecurity for backyard flock owners and poultry producers. Keep an eye out for any signs of illness in your birds, such as coughing, sneezing, lethargy, or unexpected mortality.

• If you notice any unusual illness or death in your backyard flock, please call 1-800-606-3056.
• For wild birds, report your findings on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.

WDFW seeks to understand, monitor, and respond to diseases, injuries, and other conditions that affect the health of wildlife in our state. You can help by reporting sick, injured or dead birds or wildlife.

Risks to humans

Bird flu can cause disease in humans as well as animals. Per the CDC, the immediate risk to the general public from bird flu remains low, but people with exposure to infected animals are at higher risk of infection and should take precautions. More than 60 cases of disease in humans have been reported nationally in 2024; the majority of these cases were linked to infected poultry or dairy cows.

Adhere to CDC and FDA recommendations to avoid consuming raw milk or undercooked animal products or feeding them to your pets. Never handle or allow pets near dead birds or other wildlife. People should avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report sick or dead wild birds or other animals to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

If you work with or care for infected birds, cattle, or other infected domestic or wild animals, it is important to take precautions to prevent disease. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for sick or dead animals, including goggles, gloves, boots or boot covers, N95 respirator or a well-fitting face mask, coveralls, and head cover or hair cover.

For more information on safety precautions, visit the Washington State Department of Health website.

Washington Department of Health and local health jurisdictions in Washington perform routine symptom monitoring for people who have been exposed to infected birds or other animals. There has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission to-date.

Get more information on biosecurity, and the latest updated on our HPAI webpage.

Working together

WSDA, in partnership with federal and local authorities, is actively investigating recent reports of HPAI in mammals. These collaborative efforts aim to contain the virus, mitigate its impact, and gather critical data to inform future prevention strategies.
For backyard flock owners, adhering to biosecurity protocols is more important than ever. The virus is present in the environment and can be introduced to your animals through contaminated surfaces, feed, or direct contact with infected wild birds. By taking proactive steps, you can play a vital role in protecting your animals and preventing further spread.

Numerous state and federal agencies are involved in the response to HPAI. Some of these agencies, and their roles, include:

• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA): Oversees domestic animals like backyard/commercial poultry operations, livestock, and pets.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW): Oversees wild animals like skunks, seagulls, raccoons, etc.
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care: Oversees wild animals in captivity (in zoos, for example) and food products such as meat, poultry, and eggs.
• United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Oversees human or animal food such as dairy, seafood, and processed and packaged food.

Looking ahead

As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by HPAI, WSDA remains committed to providing timely updates and guidance. Together, we can safeguard the health of our wildlife, domestic animals, and communities through a One Health collaborative approach.

For more information on biosecurity practices or to report signs of illness in your flock or captive animals, please visit the WSDA’s website or contact our animal health team directly. Your vigilance and cooperation are essential in the fight against avian influenza.