A Yakima County resident has died after contracting bird flu following exposure to an infected dairy herd in Washington state, health authorities announced Sunday. The death is the third reported in the United States since highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5) spread from wild migratory birds to dairy cattle in an unprecedented outbreak first identified in the country in March 2024.
The person had underlying health conditions that may have increased their susceptibility to severe illness. County officials said Friday that the resident had been hospitalized in serious condition. In announcing the death, authorities said they would not release additional information, including the person’s name, gender, or age, out of respect for the family’s privacy.
“Our hearts go out to the patient’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Yakima Health District Health Officer Dave Atteberry said in a statement. “Bird influenza can cause severe illness, especially in people with underlying health conditions. While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low.”
Persistent threat
Three people have tested positive for bird flu in Washington since the virus was detected in dairy cattle in 2024, according to the US Department of Agriculture. All three cases occurred in Yakima County.
Alongside the announcement of the death, authorities reported a third human case. Like the first case, the person had contact with an infected dairy herd in the county. Neither of those two people experienced serious symptoms or required hospitalization.
Source: arstechnica.com
