The City of Monroe received confirmation from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) that a Mallard duck found at Sky River Park tested positive for Avian influenza (bird flu). WDFW staff removed the sick duck from the park.

Several other birds exhibiting symptoms of bird flu were also removed from Lake Tye. 

The City of Monroe will provide further updates as we receive them. WDFW does not advise any park closure, but will post signage at the park and advise that the following information from the Washington State Department of Health be shared with the public: 

The Washington State Department of Health has extensive information on avian influenza on its' website. Bird flu viruses are not easily transmissible from birds to people, but without proper hygiene, or if in prolonged contact with a sick bird, the risk increases and the virus can potentially evolve to spread between humans. While it is extremely unlikely that hunters or people feeding wild birds could contract bird flu, the following common-sense precautions are recommended to reduce the risk of contracting any wildlife disease: 

• •    Wear disposable gloves when cleaning harvested birds or cleaning bird feeders. 
• •    Do not dispose of processed carcasses in the field where they could be eaten by raptors. Bag them and place in the garbage, bury, or incinerate them. 
• •    Take special precautions to ensure that all equipment (boots, clothes, vehicles, firearms) are cleaned and disinfected to prevent the spread of diseases. 
• •    Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead. 
• •    Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning game. 
• •    Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders. 
• •    Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach. 
• •    Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination. 
• •    Cook game birds thoroughly. Meat should reach an internal temperature of 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill disease organisms and parasites.

If you experience flu-like symptoms following contact with birds, local health department. They can provide public health guidance and initiate symptom monitoring.  In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend getting a seasonal flu vaccine every year. This will decrease the likelihood of being infected with human seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time. Additional animal and human health and safety information regarding avian influenza is on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.

If you see a bird exhibiting symptoms of bird flu such as:

• Tilting of head / excessive shaking of head
• Lack of coordination / swimming in circles
• Lethargic movements 

Please first report the sick, injured, or dead bird to WDFW and then notify the Monroe Parks Department at 360-863-4559.