Current Community Concerns

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred.
To report observations of sick or dead animals, visit the Wild and Domestic Animal Illness information below
 
COVID-19 (SARs2-CoV-2 novel coronavirus) 
  
Measles 
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough symptoms usually develop within 5 to 10 days after a person comes into contact with the bacteria that causes it. Sometimes symptoms do not develop for as long as 3 weeks. Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks. In its early stages, whooping cough appears to be nothing more than the common cold. 

Later, symptoms that may begin one to 2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people with whooping cough may develop rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits called paroxysms. These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for up to 10 weeks. The coughing fits generally get worse and become more common as the illness continues. 

If you or your child are:
    • Struggling to breath
    • Turning blue or purple
    • Coughing violently
    • Coughing rapidly, over and over
    • Not drinking enough fluids
Any time someone is struggling to breathe, it is important to get them to a doctor right away, go to a hospital Emergency Room or call 9-1-1.
 

 
Wild & Domestic Animal Illness

It is possible but unusual for a sickness or virus that an animal may have to transfer to a human. The Okanogan Public Health District (OCPHD) works with area residents and medical professionals to address communicable diseases in humans but does not have a role in addressing possible animal illness or dead animals. OCPHD becomes a team partner to help connect medical care, arrange services and take measures to help prevent a disease from spreading if:
   1) a person has had direct contact with a sick animal, or
   2) a lab test has confirmed the person is sick with the same illness as the animal they encountered.
 
 Report dead or sick WILD birds, use the WDFW online reporting tool for At-Risk wild birds
 

 Report illness or death in DOMESTIC birds, call WSDA Sick Bird hotline 1-800-606-3056 
 
 
QUICK LINKS to information about: