What to know about bird flu in the Pacific Northwest
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The bird flu virus that killed 20 big cats in Washington and a pet cat in Oregon and is circulating among cows, poultry and wild birds isn't yet a threat to the general public, experts say.
Why it matters: The first human death from bird flu isn't indicative of an imminent crisis, but viruses can spread, mutate and spark pandemics.
- Experts say if and when that will change is impossible to predict but if things do get bad, it could happen fast.
Where it stands: The H5N1 bird flu virus has led to multistate outbreaks among animals, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current public health risk is "low."
- There have been no known cases of human-to-human transmission.
- Of last year's 66 human cases, all but three were linked to commercial agriculture. The Louisiana fatality was connected to a backyard flock.
Zoom in: The presence of highly pathogenic avian flu isn't new to Washington, which saw its first detection in domestic birds in 2015, said state epidemiologist Scott Lindquist in an emailed statement.
- The first human cases in Washington were confirmed in October.
What to do: People with exposure to farm animals, backyard bird flocks or wild animals should use personal protective equipment, said Lindquist.
- Everyone should avoid eating raw or undercooked food and dairy products or feeding them to pets.
- People with backyard poultry should report any sick or dead birds to the Washington State Department of Agriculture at 1-800-606-3056 or online.
- Others should report sick wildlife to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
What they're saying: Influenza is an "incredibly unpredictable" virus, said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan.
The latest: The Biden administration has provided funding for preparedness before the next administration, the New York Times reported.