Cowlitz County Board of Health hears avian influenza briefing; officials urge biosecurity
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Summary
A county health officer briefed the Board of Health on a recent human avian influenza case in Washington (H5N5 reported) and emphasized that current public‑health risk remains low, urged biosecurity for backyard flocks, and recommended contacting authorities about dead wild birds. WSU Extension said 4‑H and fair organizers are distributing guidance.
The Cowlitz County Board of Health on Tuesday heard a briefing on avian influenza from Dr. Steve Krager, who described a recent Washington human case linked to exposure to an infected backyard flock and said the risk of sustained human‑to‑human spread remains low.
“Humans can be infected by birds, but we have no evidence of human‑to‑human spread at this point,” Dr. Krager said, noting the recent case in Grays Harbor County involved an elderly person with underlying health conditions who was exposed to infected backyard birds and became severely ill. He identified the strain associated with that case as H5N5, a subtype previously seen in birds and recently reported in Canada.
Dr. Krager reviewed typical signs in birds (rapid die‑offs, decreased egg production) and the range of human symptoms (from conjunctivitis to severe systemic illness). He advised the public to avoid contact with dead wild birds and to practice biosecurity for backyard flocks: secure coops, limit shared water and feeding areas, sanitize equipment and wash hands after handling birds. He also recommended personal protective equipment and strict controls for farm workers involved in culling or clean‑up operations.
Jennifer Leach of Washington State University Extension told the board extension is distributing Department of Agriculture guidance to 4‑H leaders and fair organizers; she said past outbreaks have led counties to run non‑live alternatives for poultry projects at fairs and to quarantine animals after events when needed.
Why this matters: the human case underscores that avian influenza can, rarely, infect people who have close exposure to infected birds, and county public‑health and extension officials emphasized practical steps to reduce risk while noting that the overall public risk remains low.
What's next: public‑health staff will continue monitoring, update guidance as needed, and coordinate with state agencies and extension services on outreach to poultry owners, 4‑H programs and agribusiness.