A large commercial flock of chickens in Franklin County tested positive for bird flu on Jan. 24 following an investigation by state and federal veterinarians. It’s the state’s first case of the year.

The large operation, which has more than 1,000 chickens, reported high numbers of sudden death in its birds at one of its farms on Jan. 22, according to the state Department of Agriculture. Other birds were lethargic and showed additional signs of illness. 

The facility was quarantined to prevent any spread of the highly contagious virus, and the birds were euthanized to contain the outbreak. Poultry products from the flock will not enter the food supply system, the state said.

Flocks within a roughly 6-mile radius will be monitored by state and federal officials, and flock operators also must follow additional precautions. 

The Department of Agriculture is working with the state Department of Health to identify people exposed to the infected birds to provide prevention recommendations, conduct symptom monitoring and provide testing. To date, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.

In October 2024, federal health authorities have confirmed at least three people in Washington contracted bird flu after working around poultry with the virus at a commercial egg farm in Franklin County.  

More than 50 flocks have been infected by bird flu since 2022. 

What can the public do?

If a flock experiences sudden death or illness in multiple birds, the public can use the online reporting tool or call the state’s Sick Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-3056. Birds that have already died should be double-bagged and kept in a cooler on ice until state veterinarians can arrange for sampling.

Sick or dead wild birds, or other wild animals, should not be touched or moved and can be reported using the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online reporting tool.