Bird flu was detected in a small flock of backyard chickens, the Yakima Health District announced on Wednesday.
The health district is contacting people who were exposed to the birds, according to a news release. So far, no human cases have been confirmed.
Bird flu can cause serious illness or death to poultry. When large commercial flocks get infected, it can necessitate mass euthanasia to control viral spread.
Overall risk to the public is low, but people with close contact to infected animals are at an increased risk of getting sick. This may include backyard flock owners, people who work with wildlife and agricultural workers.
The illness is more dangerous to older adults and people with underlying health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Poultry owners can help protect their backyard flocks by covering bird coops to keep wild birds out, regularly cleaning and disinfecting equipment, handwashing, and using dedicated clothing and shoes when caring for birds.
The public is asked to report sick or dead domestic birds to the Washington Department of Agriculture, and wild birds suspected of having bird flu to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Earlier in January, two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu also were reported among backyard poultry in Umatilla County, Oregon, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Those outbreaks were confirmed on Jan. 2 and Jan. 12.
