BELLINGHAM — State agricultural officials say a new third strain of avian flu has been found in a wild duck in Whatcom County.
Agriculture Department spokesman Hector Castro says the new H5N1 strain was confirmed in a green-winged teal killed by a hunter near Sumas.
The Bellingham Herald reported that the strain bears the same name as one that has infected hundreds of people in 15 countries, mostly in Asia. But health officials stress that while it carries the same H5N1 designation, this strain has a genetically different makeup and is not considered dangerous to people.
Health Department spokesman Donn Moyer says it’s not a major public health risk.
All three types of avian flu found so far in the state are deadly to domestic poultry.
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