Washington state officials identify four new cases of bird flu, as H5N1 outbreak spreads

The CDC has issued an alert about a bird flu outbreak in Washington state, where four agricultural workers have tested presumptively positive for avian influenza A (H5N1). The workers experienced mild symptoms and have been provided with antiviral medication. More individuals on the farm are being tested, and over 800,000 birds have been euthanized after testing positive for the virus. Washington state officials are closely monitoring the situation and assure that they are prepared to minimize the impact on the community. The risk to the general public is currently low, but those with job-related or recreational exposures to infected animals should take precautions.