Two types of highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N2 and H5N8, were found in Washington state outside of commercial poultry farms, said USDA. The cases were found partly due to increased surveillance following an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry farms in British Columbia. USDA said it was working with the Interior and Health and Human Services departments as well as state agencies on additional surveillance and testing of commercial flocks and wild birds in Whatcom County. That’s where the H5N2 virus was found following a waterfowl die-off at Wiser Lake and where H5N8 virus was found in captive gyrfalcons that fell ill after being fed wild birds killed by hunters.
There were no human cases of influenza caused by either virus, said USDA. Neither virus has been found in a commercial flock. The H5 virus is considered a low risk because it does not infect humans easily. Highly pathogenic avian influenza has a high bird mortality rate.
The H5N8 virus was confirmed in Asia last spring and in Europe this fall.