Public access to Rat Island near Fort Flagler State Park was suspended last week after state officials warned of a potential outbreak of bird flu.

Staci Lehman of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said dozens of Caspian terns have died in the area and there are more that appear sick.

It’s currently believed the terns died from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which is commonly known as bird flu.

Lehman said samples from bird carcasses have been collected and submitted for testing, but results of the tests have not yet been received.

Fish and Wildlife staff believe the bird die-off was caused by HPAI, and said precautions included closing public access to the area.

“This is the first major outbreak of avian flu in Washington during the breeding season. Because that means summer — and this is at a high public use location — there are unique risks,” Steve Hampton, Conservation Chair for Admiralty Audubon, said in an email to
The Leader.

“It’s currently in the tern colony, but likely to spread to gulls and the harbor seals, and probably any eagle that scavenge on them. Dogs are also at risk, so it’s a big deal at Flagler,” he added.

In a post for Admiralty Audubon on social media, Hampton said dozens of dead and dying terns had been seen on the island last week, and were visible through a scope from Flagler spit.

He added that the tern colony has about a thousand birds, with eggs just beginning to hatch. Hampton also said the Friends of Fort Flagler’s docent program will continue to monitor the Caspian tern colony from the Flagler spit.

According to Fish and Wildlife, the HPAI virus occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide.

It can also infect poultry and other bird and animal species. The virus, Lehman noted, is contagious among birds through saliva, nasal secretions, feces, and contaminated surfaces. Pets should also be kept away from dead or sick birds to avoid exposure to HPAI.

The bird flu is not easily transmitted between wildlife and humans.

Lehman said the public avoid contact with sick or dead birds as a preventative measure, and should not try to take birds to a veterinarian or a private property for treatment.

“Moving sick animals can spread the virus to areas where it did not exist before,” Lehman said.

Fish and Wildlife staff has put up “closed” signs to the area, and information about HPAI has been posted around Fort Flagler State Park, including the island, campground, and boat launch.