YAKIMA, Wash. — A person in Yakima County has tested positive for avian flu, otherwise known as bird flu, according to the Yakima Health District (YHD) and Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
According to YHD, the person who has bird flu contracted the illness after being exposed to “infected dairy cattle.”
YHD notes that this individual is recovering at home and is not suffering from severe illness.
“We are working closely with our public health partners to follow up with people who have been in close contact with this individual,” Yakima Health District’s Health Officer Dr. Dave Atteberry wrote in a press release. “We want to make sure they know what symptoms to watch for and can access testing and treatment if needed.”
YHD also writes that, although one person is currently dealing with bird flu, there is a low risk of bird flu spreading to the public.
The health district is currently reaching out to anyone who may have had contact with this individual and to the dairies that could have had infected cows inside, according to YHD.
Workers who believe they may have been exposed should reach out to their healthcare provider. They can also call YHD at (509) 249-6541.