Grant County Reports Bird Flu Activity
GRANT COUNTY, WA – A domestic cat and a backyard poultry flock from two separate Grant County households have tested positive for avian influenza (bird flu) in the past month. Grant County Health District (GCHD) and Washington State Department of Agriculture have been working closely with the animal owners to provide guidance, testing, and offer preventive treatment. To date, there have been no human infections in Grant County.
The domestic cat was an outdoor pet and likely had contact with a wild bird that was infected with bird flu. Wild animals can carry diseases that may make companion animals sick. Pets that spend time outdoors are at higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases compared to animals kept indoors. This situation is not related to contaminated pet food.
While the risk to people is still considered low, there are steps you should take to keep you, your family and your pets safe.
“People and animals can get infected with bird flu during any time of the year,” said Amber McCoy, GCHD Investigations & Response Manager. “By taking steps to protect your pets and backyard flocks, you are also helping to protect yourself and your family.”
About Bird Flu
Bird flu, sometimes referred to as HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza), is a disease caused by influenza viruses that naturally occur among wild aquatic birds. Infected birds can spread the virus through their saliva, mucus, and feces. It can also infect other types of birds and animal species that scavenge or eat infected carcasses. The virus can also be found in the raw milk of infected dairy cattle. To date, Washington has not had a detection in dairy cattle.
Bird Flu and Cats
Cats that ingest infected birds, dead infected animals, or that are fed contaminated raw pet food or milk are especially vulnerable to bird flu. Some infected cats become very sick, and in some cases exhibit neurologic signs and die. Some cats will recover from the virus.
Symptoms in cats include:
Decreased energy and appetite
Respiratory signs like nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing
Neurological signs like trouble standing, overall lack of coordination, tremors, and seizure
Since 2022, 149 domestic cats in the U.S. have tested positive for bird flu, including four in Washington state. The recent case in Grant County is the first in Eastern Washington and the only one in the state not linked to contaminated pet food.
Bird Flu and Backyard Poultry
Domestic and backyard birds, including poultry and birds like ducks and emus, can become very ill if infected with bird flu and may die suddenly.
Earlier this month, a privately owned, small mixed flock of chickens and ducks in rural Grant County tested positive for bird flu. The flock owner took the appropriate steps by reporting the sudden deaths of several birds to WSDA’s sick bird hotline.
Since 2022, bird flu has been confirmed in 161 wild birds in Grant County. During an outbreak at a large commercial poultry facility in 2025, 12 mice also tested positive.
If you notice any sudden flock health changes, we encourage you to report this to WSDA by calling 1-800-606-3056.
Bird Flu & People
In rare cases, bird flu can make people sick through contact with the eyes, mouth or nose. This is more likely to occur in farm workers who have had close contact with infected animals or to environments where infected animals are or have been. No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been identified in the United States at this time.
There have been 71 confirmed human cases of bird flu reported in the U.S. and two confirmed deaths since 2022. Data on human cases of bird flu in Washington is available here: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/avian-influenza
Possible symptoms of bird flu include:
Fever or chills
Cough
Sore throat
Muscle or body aches
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Eye redness or irritation
Difficulty breathing
Runny or stuffy nose
Severe respiratory disease
What to Do if You Get Sick After Contact with Ill or Infected Animals
If you have symptoms of bird flu after being around wild or domestic animals suspected of being infected with bird flu, their environments, or supplies you should:
Contact your doctor right away
Inform your doctor that you were in contact with high-risk animals
Wear a face mask during all appointments
High Risk Groups
You’re at a higher risk of getting bird flu if you have close or prolonged contact with infected animals or their contaminated environments without proper protection. People who are immunocompromised, young or elderly are also at higher risk of infection.
To reduce your risk, avoid contact with sick or dead animals whenever possible and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when around possibly infected animals. Anyone with an increased risk of exposure to bird flu can request free PPE by calling GCHD at (509) 770-7960.
High risk groups may include:
How to Protect Yourself
Avoid contact with animals that could be infected with bird flu. Do not handle sick or dead birds or other animals.
Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. This is especially important after handling birds, pets, livestock, or anything in their environments.
Cook poultry, meat, and eggs thoroughly. Ensure all poultry, meat, and eggs are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill potential viruses.
Wear recommended PPE. People with job-related exposures to infected birds or other infected animals should take additional precautions.
Avoid raw milk. Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk or consume products made from it, as they can carry harmful germs, including influenza viruses.
Protect pets.
Limit your pets’ unsupervised time outdoors to prevent them from hunting wild birds or other animals
Do not let hunting dogs retrieve or have contact with sick birds or birds found deceased
Do not feed your animals raw milk or uncooked meat, including raw pet food diets
Talk with your veterinarian if you have questions or concerns about bird flu in a pet
Protect backyard poultry and livestock.
Keep wild birds out of animal/ poultry areas
Cover coops and store food securely
Keep your birds contained and undercover
Clean water buckets/ troughs tubs used for bird/ livestock watering daily
Keep your birds away from wild waterfowl and areas where they gather, such as lakes, ponds, and irrigation canals
Keep species separate (i.e. ducks should NOT be co-housed with chickens)
Disinfect equipment often and don’t share equipment with other farms
Have dedicated clothing and shoes to care for your animals that you do not wear off your property or bring inside your home
Clean up feed spills, and keep food and water covered
Consider getting the seasonal flu vaccine. The flu shot will not protect you from bird flu but will help decrease the chance of the virus mutating. The flu shot can also help keep your immune system strong and less vulnerable to other infections, including bird flu.
What to Do if You Encounter Sick or Dead Birds or Livestock:
- Avoid direct contact with the animal. Use PPE if you must handle the animal.
- If you have had contact with infected animals or their environments, monitor for symptoms for 10 days after your last exposure. Contact GCHD at (509) 770-7960 for guidance.
- Report sick/dead domestic animals to the Washington State Department of Agriculture online or by calling 1-800-606-3056.
- Report sick/dead wild birds or wildlife to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife using their online report form.
More Information
###