October 20, 2024 Sandra Kinney # Media Advisory: First presumed human infections of avian influenza under investigation in Washington state
WA Department of Health
For immediate release: October 20, 2024
First presumed human infections of avian influenza under investigation in Washington state
Workers developed symptoms after working with infected poultry
WHAT: Washington State is actively investigating the first presumptively positive cases of avian influenza in Washington after working with infected poultry at a commercial egg farm in Franklin County. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD), and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WA Agr) will be providing an update on the situation and what steps are being taken to mitigate the spread.
WHO: Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Washington State Secretary of Health
Dr. Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases, DOH
Dr. Beth Lipton, State Public Health Veterinarian, DOH
Sierra Knutsen, Surveillance and Investigation Manager, BFHD
Steven Kraeger, MD, Local Health Officer, BFHD
Representative from WA Dept of Agriculture (invited)