Four farm workers in Washington state are presumed to have been infected with bird flu, marking the sixth state in the U.S. to report human H5N1 infections this year.

The CDC has documented 27 human cases of bird flu in the U.S. in 2024, with some infections linked to poultry and others to cattle.

Since March 2024, over 330 dairy herds across 14 states have been infected with avian influenza, indicating a widespread outbreak.

Samples from the affected workers have been sent to the CDC for confirmation, and while the symptoms reported have been mild, health officials are monitoring the situation closely.

The CDC currently assesses the risk to the general public as low, although individuals frequently exposed to birds and livestock may face a higher risk.

Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah emphasized that Washington has been closely monitoring H5N1's spread since its detection in poultry in 2022.

Public health experts are increasingly concerned about the virus's transmission to dairy cattle and infections among farm workers, which could pose risks to human health.

Experts have criticized the government's response, calling for more comprehensive testing to accurately assess the outbreak's extent.

State veterinarian Amber Itle reassured consumers that infected chicken or eggs will not reach grocery stores due to strict euthanization and disposal processes.

Health officials advised anyone who worked on poultry farms in Benton or Franklin counties since early October and is experiencing symptoms to contact health authorities.

In Missouri, a potential case of human-to-human transmission is being investigated involving healthcare workers who developed mild respiratory symptoms after contact with a hospitalized bird flu patient.

Virologists warn that co-infections with seasonal influenza could lead to mutations, increasing the likelihood of bird flu spreading among humans and potentially causing a pandemic.