Avian flu outbreak on dairy farms in Yakima County

Federal testing has confirmed the presence of H5N1 in a dairy farm worker in Yakima County, Washington, where the virus was previously detected in eight dairy cattle herds. The affected worker experienced a mild infection without hospitalization. According to official estimates, the risk level remains low for the general public, and no cases of human-to-human transmission have been identified in the country.

According to the CDC weekly report for week 41 published on October 23, an adult employee showed eye irritation and upper respiratory infection symptoms. State testing identified the H5 virus, and CDC specialists confirmed the H5N1 strain. This is the first human case of H5 infection associated with a dairy farm worker in Washington.

The first cases of cattle disease were confirmed by state and federal laboratories on October 8 at two facilities in Yakima County. Another herd tested positive on October 15, and on October 16 the virus was found at five more farms. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), these herds had previously shown regular negative results during routine milk monitoring, and testing was initiated after cows showed signs of illness. The source of the virus introduction to the farms and the results of genetic sequencing have not yet been released.

Local health authorities report that pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe for consumers. At the same time, raw milk and unpasteurized products should be avoided, and feeding raw milk and raw feed to livestock animals is also prohibited. Health authorities recommend that dairy workers use protective goggles, masks, and gloves, as well as get seasonal flu vaccinations to reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with seasonal and bird flu.