FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash. – The first Washington State case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), often referred to as bird flu, in Washington has been confirmed in Franklin County.
The announcement by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) stems from a high number of chicken deaths that was reported by a large commercial operation at one of its farms January 22.
Other birds were lethargic and showing additional signs of illness, prompting an investigation by state and federal veterinarians, said the release.
After the results were confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) late Friday, January 24, state officials quarantined the affected premises to prevent the spread of disease, the release said.
If a flock experiences sudden death or illness in multiple birds, the WSDA asks that people use the online reporting tool or call WSDA’s Sick Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-3056. Birds that have already died should be double-bagged and kept in a cooler on ice until WSDA veterinarians can arrange for sampling.
The first human cases of H5 avian influenza were reported in Washington state in October 2024. To date, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of avian influenza, the release added.