FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash. – Six commercial farm workers in Franklin County tested positive for Avian Influenza after the first case showed up in birds a few weeks ago.
Robert Bonaccorso, Department of Health public information officer, wrote in an email that nobody was hospitalized, but those who tested positive for the bird flu suffered from mild symptoms such as red eyes and respiratory issues.
Evidence shows Avian Influenza was only transmitted from the birds to the workers, not from another person, Bonaccorso wrote.
Benton Franklin Public Health is not concerned about a public outbreak.
Bonaccorso wrote that the CDC considers this to be low-risk, but advises people regularly in contact with birds, cattle or any animal who might be infected to take precautions such as wearing personal protective equipment.
In an Oct. 19 Department of Health meeting, Seattle pediatrician Tao Sheng Kwan-Get emphasized the importance of the flu vaccine.
“It’s really important for everybody to get their seasonal influenza vaccine,” he said. “The seasonal influenza vaccine doesn’t provide any protection against avian influenza, but the seasonal influenza vaccine can protect you from seasonal flu, and it can reduce the risk that somebody might be infected with seasonal influenza and avian influenza at the same time.”
Bonaccorso said it is important to get information from trusted sources, and people should be wary of claims blaming the virus on community members.
More information can be found on the DOH website.
