Bird flu detected in Grant County poultry flock, health officials say human risk remains low

GRANT COUNTY, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of the bird flu in a commercial poultry flock in Grant County.

The Washington State Department of Health and the Grant County Health District said they are monitoring workers who may have been exposed to infected birds as a precaution. No human cases have been reported in connection with this outbreak and officials said the risk to the general public remains low.

Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by influenza viruses that naturally occur among wild aquatic birds and can infect other bird species and animals. Human infections are rare and typically occur only after close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.

The virus spreads through saliva, mucus and feces of infected