The Snohomish County cluster is the largest wildlife officials have seen this fall as migration spreads the virus across Washington

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza killed birds at Lake Tye Park in Monroe, where more than 30 dead birds were found over several days last week. The city confirmed the WDFW result on Monday, Nov. 9, and warning signs now ask visitors to stay away from the birds, KIRO 7 reported on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

WDFW communications manager Staci Lehman said the Monroe cluster is the largest the agency has recorded so far this season. "It is disturbing to watch," she told KIRO 7. Officials say the outbreak must now run its course.

For people who walk, picnic, and bring dogs to the Snohomish County park, the practical message is simple — do not touch sick or dead birds, keep pets away from them, and report them to the state.

Inside the Lake Tye Park Cluster

The City of Monroe began monitoring the park on Nov. 2 after multiple geese were found dead and other birds showed symptoms, according to a city advisory. Infected birds can appear lethargic, walk in circles, or struggle to stand. KIRO 7 crews saw one bird struggle, circle, and then fly into a building.

The Snohomish County Health Department said the birds tested preliminarily positive, and two WDFW workers who collected carcasses wearing protective equipment are self-monitoring for symptoms, which is standard procedure, KOMO News reported. WDFW said it has not tallied the total number of deaths in and around the park.

Health officials consider the risk to the general public low. The Snohomish County Health Department noted that the virus circulates naturally in wild birds and can cause severe illness and high death rates in chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks, and it asked people not to let scavenging birds reach carcasses, since that can spread the virus further.

Fall Migration Puts More Birds in Contact

The Monroe die-off follows a statewide warning. In late October, WDFW said bird flu had reemerged in western Washington and would likely spread across the state during fall migration, FOX 13 Seattle reported.

Migration matters because ducks, geese, and other waterfowl gather in large numbers at lakes and wetlands along the Pacific Flyway. Many wild waterfowl carry the virus with few symptoms, then share water and shoreline with resident birds. Crowded stopover sites like Lake Tye give the virus more chances to spread.

The H5N1 strain has circulated in Washington's wild birds since at least March 2022, when it was first found in a goose in Walla Walla County. Each fall, detections tend to climb as northern birds arrive. WDFW also asks people who feed birds to clean feeders and birdbaths often with soap and water followed by a diluted bleach rinse, since feeders bring many birds into close contact.

Poultry is also at risk. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported that a poultry facility was quarantined after a detection, with employees being monitored.

A Different Front From Washington's Human Cases

The park outbreak involves wild birds and is separate from this year's human infections. Washington has recorded three human cases in 2026, all in Yakima County and all linked to infected dairy cattle, including a person with underlying conditions who died, the first U.S. bird flu death of the year, CNN reported. Official tallies have differed between county and state dashboards because of reporting schedules. Since early October, H5N1 has been confirmed in more than 30 Washington dairy herds, nearly all in Yakima County.

No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been documented in the United States. Still, health experts worry about bird flu circulating as seasonal flu rises, because people infected with both viruses at once could give them a chance to mix. That is the main reason officials want the public to limit contact with sick birds.

Pets face a more direct risk — in January, a Grant County cat died of H5N1, the first confirmed Washington cat case linked to an infected wild bird.

Steps for Park Visitors, Pet Owners and Flock Keepers

WDFW and the city advise against handling wild birds, living or dead. Keep dogs leashed and away from carcasses and shoreline areas with sick birds, and do not let cats roam where dead birds are found. If you must move a dead bird on private property, wear gloves and a mask, double-bag the carcass and place it deep in a trash can scavengers cannot reach. The city points residents to Washington Department of Health guidance for disposal on private property.

Anyone who touches a sick bird should clean and disinfect shoes and clothing, and wash hands well. Backyard flock owners should change shoes before entering coops and keep wild birds away from feed and water. Hunters should handle waterfowl with gloves and disinfect tools with a 10 percent bleach solution.

As a reasonable precaution while the outbreak runs its course, visitors should also avoid feeding geese and ducks at the lake, since feeding draws birds into tight groups where the virus spreads more easily, and should keep children from handling feathers or droppings along the shore.

Report sick or dead wild birds to WDFW. For birds in Monroe city parks, the city also asks residents to call the Monroe Parks Department at 360-863-4559. Anyone who develops eye redness, fever or flu-like symptoms within 10 days of contact with sick birds should call a health care provider and mention the exposure.

WDFW will keep tracking detections statewide through the migration season.

What Readers Want to Know

What happened at Lake Tye Park? More than 30 birds were found dead over several days, and WDFW confirmed avian influenza as the cause.

Is the park closed? No closure has been announced. Signs urge visitors to keep away from birds.

Is the public at risk? Health officials say the risk to the general public is low. No person-to-person spread has been documented in the U.S.

What should pet owners do? Keep dogs leashed, keep cats indoors near affected areas, and never let pets touch dead or sick birds.

How do I report a sick or dead bird? Report it to WDFW. In Monroe city parks, also call the Monroe Parks Department at 360-863-4559.

Why is bird flu increasing now? Fall migration brings large numbers of waterfowl together, giving the virus more chances to spread.