Three human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) the Washington Department of Health is reporting this week traveled to Oregon during their infection and were monitored by public health while in the state.

All three cases were infected with HPAI in Washington at a location where they were exposed to poultry that tested positive for the virus, according to Oregon Health Authority epidemiologists. The cases have returned to Washington and continue to be monitored by Washington public health staff until 10 days following their last exposure.

Washington DOH updated its online case count from six to nine to acknowledge the three new cases identified by the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. CDC also updated its case count today to acknowledge the three new cases from Washington.

“At this time, the risk for the general public remains low,” explained Melissa Sutton, M.D., medical director for respiratory viral pathogens at Oregon Public Health. “People who have had close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at increased risk of infection.”

There have been no human HPAI infections associated with outbreaks in Oregon to date, no infections among people living in Oregon, and no evidence of human-to-human transmission, Sutton added.

OHA collaborates with local public health authorities and Oregon Department of Agriculture when humans are exposed to avian influenza outbreaks in animals. When an outbreak occurs, ODA provides personal protective equipment and training in its use to affected farmworkers, and public health provides symptom education and monitoring.

To reduce the risk of HPAI, people should avoid contact with sick or dead birds or animals, or their droppings or litter, and should not drink unpasteurized or raw dairy products such as milk or cheese.