ETIDIOH - NEW

Human Avian Influenza Cases in Washington State Residents {*} [Exposure - Probable - Confirmed - Total human cases (H5)] -- Poultry - 3 - 11 - 14 -- Unknown - 1{^} - 0 - 1 -- Total - 15 {*} Washington residency could not be confirmed for one case with exposure to poultry in Washington. {^} Currently under investigation; case classification and source of infection may be updated. Note : Updates to national public health reporting and notification of novel influenza A infections were approved by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) in June 2024 and enacted in September 2024. Whether a case is counted as confirmed or probable is determined after completion of a public health case investigation and takes into account a person's exposure to avian influenza virus, whether confirmatory testing at the CDC was negative or positive, and whether a person experienced symptoms of illness. The specific criteria used to determine if a case is confirmed, or probable is based...

For immediate release: November 13, 2025   (25-136) Contact: DOH Communications If confirmed, this would be the first human case of avian influenza reported in Washington in 2025 OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor County resident has tested preliminarily positive for avian influenza, also known as bird flu . Confirmatory testing through the Washington State Public Health Laboratories is pending. Health officials are working to determine the potential sources of the infection , including contact with wild or domestic birds .  The person, who is an older adult with underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress and was hospitalized in early November.  They are currently receiving treatment in King County after previously being treated in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties. Public health disease experts have not identified any risk to the public . The Washington State Department of Health is working with the local health departments and ...