Washington Bird Flu Explainer: 2.2M Birds Hit Since 2022

A Seattle Times explainer recaps H5N1 basics amid rising concern: Washington has seen about 2.2 million commercial, backyard and wild birds test positive, including 52 backyard flocks and three commercial operations, since 2022. Fourteen Washington farmworkers have presumptively tested positive, and officials warn mutation risk persists even though public risk stays low.

Why it matters: Only three Washington commercial flocks have been hit among 2.2 million birds affected, showing outbreak remains largely backyard/wild-bird driven there.

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