Bird flu has been confirmed in birds in Monroe, Washington, and two state wildlife workers who handled infected birds are now being watched for symptoms. The city announced the finding Monday, and health officials say the risk to the general public remains low even as questions linger about exactly how many birds are affected.
According to HeraldNet, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed bird flu is present in birds at Lake Tye Park in Monroe, a finding the city announced Monday. KOMO News, however, described the situation differently, reporting that dead birds found at the same park had preliminarily tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza rather than being confirmed. The two outlets' accounts diverge on whether testing has been finalized, and that distinction has not been resolved in available reporting. Separately, a City of Monroe webpage notes that WDFW confirmed a Mallard duck found at Sky River Park tested positive for avian influenza, though it is unclear when that finding occurred or how it relates to the Lake Tye Park reports.
Two Wildlife Workers Under Watch
Two WDFW employees who handled infected birds are being monitored by the Snohomish County Health Department for possible symptoms, the same HeraldNet report states. Both workers were wearing proper personal protective equipment at the time and are also self-monitoring, according to the outlet. Health department spokesperson Jeff Hodson told the paper that the risk of infection to the general public is low and that human transmission remains uncommon. The department said it is not aware of any other bird flu cases in the county, and the reporting cited no evidence of human-to-human spread or broader community risk.
A count of affected birds has shifted across reports. MyNorthwest quoted Monroe Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Teague saying his team had found 34 dead birds at the park since the prior Saturday, with WDFW expected to test some of the carcasses that Wednesday.
What to Do If You Find a Sick or Dead Bird
Officials are urging the public to keep their distance from wildlife at the park and beyond. KOMO News reported that officials advised people not to touch or move dead wild birds, and the City of Monroe has likewise advised the public not to handle obviously sick or dead wild birds, according to seed reporting from FOX 13 Seattle. The city is also urging the community to report sick, injured or dead birds to WDFW or the Monroe Parks Department rather than approach them directly, and it has advised anyone who does contact a sick bird to clean and disinfect their shoes and clothes afterward.
For dead birds found on private property, HeraldNet reported that residents should double-bag the carcasses and keep them in a cooler with ice until the Washington State Department of Agriculture arranges sampling. Freezing does not kill the HPAI virus, according to FOX 13 Seattle's reporting, which is why refrigeration with ice, not a home freezer, is the recommended interim step. The Washington State Department of Health has also provided separate instructions for disposing of birds found on private property, and its guidance says that anyone who has contacted WSDA about disposal should follow that agency's instructions before and during the process.
Why Hunters and Backyard Bird Feeders Should Take Note
WDFW has issued a broader set of precautions aimed at hunters and backyard bird enthusiasts alike, per FOX 13 Seattle. The agency has advised against harvesting or handling obviously sick or dead wild birds and against eating, drinking or smoking while cleaning game. People who do clean birds should wear disposable gloves, wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer immediately afterward, and wash tools and work surfaces with soap and water before disinfecting with a 10 percent household bleach solution. WDFW also advised cleaning bird feeders and baths the same way on a regular basis, cooking game birds to an internal temperature of 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping pets from scavenging on dead or sick wildlife, and reporting any encounters with sick or dead birds.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, typically spreads through the saliva, mucus or feces of an infected bird or another animal, the same FOX 13 Seattle report notes. Wild and domestic cats, eagles, hawks and foxes can become infected through contact with or eating infected animals. Human infection usually follows close and prolonged contact with an infected animal and its environment, and the Washington State Department of Health has said birds, animals and humans can become infected if the virus enters their mouth, nose or eyes.
A Death Tied to Dairy Exposure in Central Washington
The Monroe findings come against a grimmer backdrop elsewhere in the state. A Yakima County resident with prior health conditions died after being exposed to avian influenza at a dairy with infected cattle, according to ABC News, which reported the person died Sunday after hospitalization. County officials told the wire service that 33 dairy herds have recently tested positive for H5N1 and that three human infections have been linked to exposure at a dairy. ABC News also noted that more than 70 human bird flu infections have been reported nationwide since the beginning of 2024.
Infected cows can shed the virus through their milk, per FOX 13 Seattle's sourcing, which is why raw milk and other raw dairy products are considered unsafe to consume, while pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe. The Washington State Department of Agriculture separately reported detecting HPAI in a commercial poultry facility in Pierce County, describing it as the first such detection in commercial poultry in the state.
Monroe Has Seen This Before
This is not the first time Lake Tye Park has dealt with a die-off. At least 70 geese died there in 2023 from suspected bird flu, HeraldNet reported, underscoring that waterfowl at the park have faced repeated outbreaks in recent years. Wildlife officials have been investigating bird flu concerns in Monroe after locating several birds dead or showing symptoms, and the city continues to urge residents to stay away from wild birds.
