News Flash

Overview of the current situation in Washington as well as historic detection information.

OLYMPIA (October 10, 2025) – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirms Grant County’s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, among sick birds in a large commercial poultry facility.

Everyone loves a good recipe, and you might be thinking, “How is this a recipe if there is no food?” This one is different. Instead of ingredients for a dish, it gives you the steps for a healthy and safe holiday. Check it out!

 INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Get the most up-to-date vaccines during this cold and flu season. Everyone six months and older should get flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Adults 75 and older, pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks, and infants over eight months during their first RSV season (October to March) should also consider getting the RSV vaccine. Vaccines are your best defense against serious illness and help protect the people around you from getting sick.  Ask your healthcare provider or local pharmacy about getting vaccinated.

2. Not feeling well?  Stay home when you are sick and consider wearing a mask if you need to go out. Cover coughs and sneezes and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Planning a family gathering but still feeling sick? Get tested ahead of time. Once you are feeling better, disinfect household items like blankets, doorknobs, and shared surfaces to prevent lingering germs.

3. Give your immune system a boost. The best defense against illness starts with quality sleep, staying hydrated, eating nutritious and healthy meals, and finding coping strategies to manage stress. Mental health is just as important as physical health.

4. Norovirus is another common winter illness that spreads easily from sick people through contaminated food and surfaces. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after using the restroom and before food preparation. Sanitize surfaces often with chemicals effective against norovirus, and do NOT prepare food for others if you have symptoms of diarrhea and/or vomiting.

5. Avoid big crowds when possible, wash hands often, and keep hand sanitizer with you for times when handwashing is not possible, especially while traveling. Common areas like airports, buses, and train stations are germ hotspots. Consider wearing a mask, especially if you’re not feeling well, or consider delaying your travel plans.

6. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace batteries at least once a year. Have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually and never use generators indoors. Carbon monoxide is a silent danger you cannot see, smell, or taste. If your alarm goes off, leave your home immediately and call 911. Practice a home fire escape plan so everyone knows how to get out safely.

7. Holidays can bring hidden dangers for babies and kids. Keep small decorations, batteries, and cords out of reach to prevent choking or other harm. Use safety gates, outlet covers, and corner guards to protect your children from potential hazards. Stay vigilant around candles, fireplaces, and space heaters. Always supervise children during cooking and gift unwrapping to prevent burns and other injuries.

8. Dress appropriately for the temperature. When it is chilly, wear a light layer to stay comfortable. In cold weather, add more layers and cover your hands, feet, head, and ears. When it is freezing, wear multiple layers, hats, gloves, scarves, and warm socks. Limit your time outside and watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Shivering, numb fingers or toes, and feeling confused are warnings that you need to get warm.

9. Portable heaters should be placed at least three feet away from anything that can burn and plugged directly into a wall outlet. Always turn heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep. Keeping heaters safe can prevent fires and keep your home warm without risk.

10. Prepare for any winter traveling. Before traveling, check the weather and plan your route. Pack warm blankets, a flashlight, snacks, and water in your car. Let someone know your plans and travel times. Drive carefully on snow or ice and give yourself extra time to arrive safely.

11. Be ready for power outages. Winter storms can cause unexpected outages. Keep flashlights, batteries, warm blankets, and charged devices ready. Never run generators inside your home or garage and avoid using propane heaters indoors.

And voila, you have yourself a holiday season so well-prepared, even your loved ones will be asking for your advice!

MORE INFORMATION:

• Learn more about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning and safe use of generators and heating appliances: CDC – Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• For tips on staying safe during winter storms, including heat, power outage, and travel safety: CDC – Winter Weather Safety
• For info on avoiding hypothermia and frostbite, and how to dress appropriately for cold weather: CDC – Hypothermia and Frostbite Prevention
• For food safety guidelines during the holidays: WIC & USDA Holiday Food Safety Resources WIC Works Resource System

This blog was adapted from materials developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics

Jan. 15, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 20, 2026

GRANT COUNTY, WA – Flu activity remains high as the 2025/26 respiratory illness season continues. Grant County Health District (GCHD) urges you to take steps to protect yourself and others.

Thus far, one flu-associated death has been confirmed in a Grant County resident. The death occurred in a person in their 50s who had underlying health conditions.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a community member to the flu. Our hearts are with the family and friends who are grieving,” said Dr. Alexander Brzezny, Grant County Health Officer. “With high flu activity in our area, we encourage everyone to take care of themselves and others by staying up to date on the flu vaccine, staying home when you are sick, and staying informed.

Current Situation

Local: One way GCHD tracks the severity of respiratory illness season is by monitoring flu-associated emergency department (ED) visits. Last week, more than 6% of ED visits in Grant County were related to flu. The official threshold is 1.44%, meaning flu activity is over four times that level.

Though RSV and COVID activity is low, combined acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) remain high. ARI is a combined measure that includes RSV, COVID-19, flu, and other common short-term illnesses that affect breathing.

GCHD has helped mitigate several flu outbreaks and continues to monitor respiratory illness activity within healthcare facilities and schools.

State: Washington State Department of Health is reporting 74 confirmed flu-associated deaths to date. Most deaths occurred in people with underlying health conditions.

Flu activity, including wastewater levels, is currently high statewide. Flu has also been the most common respiratory illness so far this season.

RSV activity is elevated and above the seasonal threshold of 0.4%, while COVID-19 activity remains low and below the State’s threshold of 1.1%.

National: Flu activity remains elevated across the U.S. RSV is elevated in many areas of the country, while COVID-19 activity is elevated in some areas.

Protect Yourself and Others

As respiratory illness season continues, GCHD encourages you to take the following precautions to lower the chance of getting yourself and others sick:

• Get your flu shot and stay up to date on the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines. These vaccines are safe and can help reduce your chance of severe illness

• Avoid visiting healthcare facilities, especially long-term care (LTC) facilities, and vulnerable people if you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms. LTC and hospital residents are among the populations most vulnerable to respiratory viruses

  • GCHD strongly recommends you wear the most protective mask that also fits well if visiting a LTC facility

• If you are not feeling well, stay home and test as soon as possible

• Wash your hands well and often

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow

Respiratory Illness Guidance

If you test positive for a respiratory illness, take steps to help prevent the spread of the virus. Stay home and away from others until both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, AND

• You have not had a fever (without using fever-reducing medication).

When you go back to your normal activities, wear a protective mask and take added precautions for an additional 5 days.

Flu and COVID-19 Treatment

Antivirals are prescription medicines that can fight flu and COVID-19 viruses. If your doctor prescribes antiviral medication, start it right away and finish the entire prescription. 

• Tamiflu is a common antiviral used to treat flu and is safe for children and adults. If your child tests positive for flu, or if you test positive and are at higher risk of serious complications, ask your doctor about Tamiflu. Additional antivirals could be available through your doctor’s office.

• PAXLOVID is a prescription treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk of severe illness. Talk with your doctor to see if PAXLOVID is right for you.

Avian Influenza vs. Seasonal Influenza

GCHD is also closely monitoring the current avian influenza situation, commonly known as bird flu.

Bird flu and seasonal influenza (flu) are different. Seasonal flu spreads easily among people every year, usually in the colder months. Bird flu mainly affects birds such as wild waterfowl and farm poultry and occurs year-round. It rarely infects humans but can be dangerous if it does. If you have flu-like symptoms and have had recent contact with sick or deceased birds, tell your doctor right away.

There is no evidence showing that bird flu can spread from person to person. No vaccine is currently available for bird flu.

For recent news and more information about bird flu go to Avian Influenza | Grant County Health District, WA.

GCHD commits to informing the public of communicable diseases present in our community. Find respiratory illness season updates on GCHD’s website or by following GCHD on Facebook. By taking these precautions, you can reduce the risk of respiratory illness.  

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GRANT COUNTY, WA - Grant County Health District (GCHD) proudly presents the long-awaited Grant County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Thanks to the right combination of staff, funding, and resources, the GCHD team is thrilled to share a CHIP with our community for the first time in over a decade. 

About the CHIP

The CHIP is a roadmap designed to improve health outcomes and strengthen the well-being of all Grant County residents. This plan unites public health and community organizations through shared goals that drive coordinated action across Grant County. 

“To everyone who has contributed to the CHIP, the GCHD team and I extend our sincere gratitude,” said Theresa Adkinson, GCHD Administrator. “From the participants in listening sessions who helped shape the priorities, to the subcommittees who helped craft objectives, to the Grant County Board of Health for their guidance and approval of this plan, and to all other partners who supported us in so many ways—thank you.” 

CHIP Priorities 

Together, representatives from our community identified three shared priorities for action:

• Behavioral Health
• Transportation 
• Food Security 

These priorities are connected to bigger issues like economic stability, chronic disease, housing, and access to healthcare. Addressing them means looking at the systems that affect health and working on solutions that are fair, evidence-based, lasting, and based on community needs.

Community Engagement 

GCHD hosted eight listening sessions throughout Grant County to ensure diverse perspectives were captured in the CHIP. Insights from these sessions helped define community priorities and refine our focus areas. 

In early 2025, partners from healthcare, transportation, education, food access, social services, and local government came together to form subcommittees. These subcommittees worked to create strategies and recommendations that shape this plan. 

Explore the CHIP and Get Involved

The CHIP is a living document that can be adapted as public health and community organizations incorporate it into their five-year plans. 

GCHD encourages you to review the CHIP and support its implementation by sharing it with your organization or joining one of the coalitions. To learn more or get involved, contact Alexis Abrahams at Aabrahams@granthealth.org and let her know which priority—behavioral health, transportation, or food security—you are interested in.

You can find the plan at https://granthealth.org/329/Community-Health-Improvement-Plan-CHIP 

The publication of the CHIP is far from the end of our work; it’s just the beginning of a healthier and safer Grant County.

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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:

• Backyard poultry owners

• Dairy Workers

• Poultry Workers

• Veterinary staff

• Hunters 

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

• H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary | Avian Influenza (Flu) (cdc.gov).

• Backyard Flock Owners

• Pet Owners

• HPAI in cats

• Bird Flu | Washington State Department of Agriculture

• Avian Influenza | Washington State Department of Health

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Science-based guidance will help protect families this respiratory virus season

Standing Order improves vaccine access for everyone 6 months and older