A second Yakima County resident has tested positive for avian influenza following exposure at a dairy with infected cattle, according to the Yakima Health District. The patient is currently hospitalized with severe illness and has underlying health conditions.
Second Human Case Confirmed in Yakima County
Public health officials are trying to trace and reach out to anyone who might have had close interactions with the patient so they can keep an eye out for any signs of illness. The individual was exposed to the virus at a dairy with infected cattle.
Health authorities maintain that the general risk to the public remains low. Dairy workers and others with prolonged contact with infected animals face the highest risk of exposure.
Thirty-Three Dairy Herds Test Positive in Yakima County
Thirty-three dairy herds across Yakima County tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 by October 29. The virus spreads from wild birds to mammals such as dairy cattle, as well as to humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
Public health agencies emphasize there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time.
Benton County Dairy Quarantined Under Strict Biosecurity
The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed a separate detection of HPAI H5N1 in a Benton County dairy herd, discovered through routine surveillance by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle stated that while the spread to another county is disappointing, dairy farmers are working hard to implement biosecurity plans. The Benton County herd is under quarantine with strict biosecurity measures in place.
AFluDiary Blog `Washington: Yakima County Reports 2nd Human #H5N1 Case (Hospitalized with severe illness)' https://t.co/TVzVxGBHFh
Pasteurized milk products remain safe for consumers, and officials do not expect milk supply shortages. Pasteurization inactivates viruses and bacteria in milk, but health officials advise consumers to avoid raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products from infected or untested farms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avian Influenza
How do humans contract avian influenza from animals?
Humans can contract the virus following close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Health officials note that dairy workers and individuals with prolonged contact face the highest risk.
Is the commercial milk supply safe to consume?
State and federal health officials state that pasteurized milk products remain safe because pasteurization inactivates viruses and bacteria. However, consumers should avoid raw milk and raw dairy products from untested or infected farms.
What precautions should agricultural workers take?
People who work with infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected animals should wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, eye protection, and fluid-resistant coveralls.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the first detection of HPAI H5N1 in two Yakima County dairy farms on October 8.
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