State and federal agencies have active bird testing programs underway to monitor for the arrival of H5N1 in our area. If the avian flu virus is found, it will be announced by government officials and the information will be widely broadcast by the media.

• Updated data on avian influenza testing by state
• Washington State Fish & Wildlife Department’s avian flu testing program in wild birds
• Surveillance in domestic poultry in Washington State
• Surveillance in domestic poultry nationwide

Public Health’s main roles are to provide accurate public information about avian flu and how to prevent its spread, and to work collaboratively with the key response agencies including Washington State’s Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State and U.S. Departments of Agriculture).

• Read Public Health - Seattle & King County’s avian flu plan, Appendix G