Six mice have tested positive for bird flu in Grant County, Washington, as the virus continues to spread amongst different mammalian species. The avian influenza, also known as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), is typically carried by wild birds but can also infect mice and other mammals, spreading the virus further.

According to a report by NBC Right Now, a local affiliate, Grant County Health Department (GCHD) officials highlighted the risks bird flu poses to those with pets, poultry, or livestock. They advised pet owners to keep animals away from wild birds, their droppings, as well as dead birds or rodents. Pets should also be kept indoors if exposure to infected wildlife is possible. Feeding pets raw or undercooked animal products is discouraged. For symptoms of bird flu in pets, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Cat Cases of Bird Flu Spike, Causing Alarm

For poultry safety, GCHD recommends keeping poultry separate from wild birds and rodents, washing hands before and after handling animals, and changing clothes and disinfecting footwear after visiting areas with migratory waterfowl. Monitoring flock health and contacting a veterinarian if illness signs appear is also advised.

A report by Medscape alleges that bird flu is spreading once again as we rapidly approach the winter months.

“This is a call to action for public agencies to do a lot [more] surveillance,” said Diego Hijano, MD, MSc, pediatric infectious disease physician at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. (Hijano was not involved in the review.)

“Physicians should maintain awareness but avoid alarmism,” said Rick Bright, PhD, immunologist, public health expert, and the founder of Bright Global Health.

H5N1 Bird Flu Has Mutated

The CDC says that a gap in reporting and a lack of surveillance are playing a role in health authorities’ inability to make progress on the scope of the problem.