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Dead birds in Snohomish County test positive for bird flu; officials say low public risk
KOMO • • health
Key Points:
- Dead birds found at Lake Tye Park in Monroe have preliminarily tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), according to the Snohomish County Health Department.
- The virus naturally circulates among birds and can cause severe illness and high mortality in poultry such as chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks.
- The risk to the general public is low, with transmission to humans being uncommon; however, individuals with direct exposure to infected birds, like backyard flock owners, face higher risk.
- Health officials confirmed that workers collecting dead birds wore proper protective equipment and are self-monitoring for symptoms, with no evidence of wider community spread or other cases in Snohomish County.
- Authorities advise reporting sick or dead domestic birds to the Washington State Department of Agriculture and recommend precautions such as not touching dead wild birds and properly handling carcasses to prevent virus spread.
