Bird flu infections found in Washington state, marking sixth state to report ccases

Four individuals in Washington state are affected by chicken flu, prompting fears concerning the sickness spreading to different agricultural employees in the U.S.

Also often known as avian influenza A (H5N1), the illness lately examined presumptively constructive in 4 agricultural employees in Washington state, in accordance to the Washington State Department of Health (WADOH). The press launch famous that the employees are employed on an egg farm in Franklin County.

“The people skilled gentle signs and have been supplied with antiviral medicine,” the assertion learn. “Testing of additional individuals on the farm is currently pending and the number of cases under investigation may change.”

Washington state officers famous that these diagnoses mark the “first presumed human cases of H5 virus under investigation in Washington state.” In response, greater than three quarters of 1,000,000 birds had been killed.

3 DEATHS REPORTED AFTER LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE OUTBREAK AT SENIOR LIVING FACILITY

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses (seen in gold) grown in MDCK cells (seen in inexperienced).  (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

“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 assertion learn.

Washington state is the sixth U.S. state to determine a human an infection of H5N1, which is a extremely pathogenic avian influenza that has been detected in poultry, dairy cattle and wildlife.

VALLEY FEVER OUTBREAK REPORTED AFTER CALIFORNIA MUSIC FESTIVAL AS HEALTH OFFICIALS CITE ‘HOTSPOT’

Jon Arizti Sanz, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow working in the lab to take a look at chicken flu samples in May 2024.

“Washington has monitored the spread of H5N1 closely since it was first detected in poultry in the state in 2022, and our state is prepared with the knowledge, relationships, and tools to minimize its impacts on our community,” Washington Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah stated in the WADOH’s press launch.

According to the WADOH, the illness naturally happens in wild aquatic birds and may unfold to different birds and even mammals.

“On rare occasions, avian influenza viruses infect people and make them sick,” the assertion learn. “Most instances of people becoming infected with avian influenza have happened after prolonged, close contact with animals infected with avian influenza or environments contaminated with avian influenza.”

Jon Arizti Sanz, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow works in the Broad Institute’s Sabeti Lab testing bought milk at space grocery shops for the presence of chicken flu in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2024. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The CDC currently considers the risk to the general public from this H5N1 avian influenza to be low; however, people with job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds, cattle, or other potentially impacted domestic or wild animals are at higher risk and should take precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment.”