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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.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What to know about bird flu in the Pacific Northwest

Bird flu that killed 20 big cats and a pet cat in the PNW isn't a threat to the public yet, experts say.

Illustration of a bird flu virus cell as a magic 8 ball with an answer that reads "ask again later."

The bird flu virus that killed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="20 big cats in Washington" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/25/bird-flu-big-cats-die-washington" data-vars-content-id="24906a04-4696-49a7-b4d4-0f8a68f9c759" data-vars-headline="What to know about bird flu in the Pacific Northwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/25/bird-flu-big-cats-die-washington" target="_self">20 big cats in Washington</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pet cat in Oregon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/10/bird-flu-pet-food-oregon-cat-death" data-vars-content-id="24906a04-4696-49a7-b4d4-0f8a68f9c759" data-vars-headline="What to know about bird flu in the Pacific Northwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/10/bird-flu-pet-food-oregon-cat-death" target="_self">pet cat in Oregon</a> and is circulating among cows, poultry and wild birds isn&#x27;t yet a threat to the general public, experts say.Why it matters: The first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="human death" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/06/first-human-death-from-avian-flu-reported-in-us" data-vars-content-id="24906a04-4696-49a7-b4d4-0f8a68f9c759" data-vars-headline="What to know about bird flu in the Pacific Northwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/06/first-human-death-from-avian-flu-reported-in-us" target="_self">human death</a> from bird flu isn&#x27;t indicative of an imminent crisis, but viruses can spread, mutate and spark pandemics.

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