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Yakima County traces contacts after dairy-linked avian flu case
A person in Yakima County is recovering at home after testing positive for avian influenza following exposure to infected dairy cattle. Health officials say the risk to the broader public is low and are contacting close contacts and potentially affected dairies.
A Yakima County resident who contracted avian influenza after exposure to infected dairy cattle is recovering at home and has not developed severe illness, local health officials said Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Yakima Health District and Washington State Department of Health said they are following up with people who had close contact with the person and with dairies that may have had infected cows.
“We want to make sure they know what symptoms to watch for and can access testing and treatment if needed,” Yakima County Health Officer Dr. Dave Atteberry said in a statement.
The health district said the risk of the virus spreading to the general public is low. Workers who believe they may have been exposed are advised to contact a health care provider or call the Yakima Health District at 509-249-6541.