Third Person Dies From Bird Flu in U.S. After Exposure to Infected Cattle

A person in Washington state has died from complications of the bird flu, marking the first U.S. death from the virus in approximately a year. The Yakima County resident, who had underlying health conditions, was exposed to avian influenza at a dairy farm with infected cattle and had been hospitalized. County health officials confirmed the death occurred on Sunday.

This is the third reported U.S. death linked to bird flu since it became a national public health concern in early 2024. The first death, announced in January 2025, was an elderly individual in Louisiana infected with the H5N1 strain. In November 2025, a separate case in Washington state resulted in a death from a rarer version, H5N5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the virus in the most recent death as H5N1.

Yakima County has reported that 33 dairy herds have tested positive for H5N1. Health officials state that three human infections have been associated with exposure at a dairy, and the Yakima Health District is collaborating with the state health department to monitor individuals who had close contact with infected persons.

The H5N1 bird flu has been circulating widely among wild birds, poultry, and cattle for several years. Its spread into U.S. livestock in early 2024 heightened health concerns, as its presence in the environment increases the potential for human exposure, according to officials.

More than 70 human infections have been documented in the U.S. since the start of 2024, according to the CDC. However, the agency states there is no known person-to-person transmission, and the risk to the general public remains low. The CDC analyzed the genetic sequence of the virus from the Washington state fatality and found no mutations that would suggest increased transmissibility or severity.

Health authorities continue to advise individuals who may come into contact with sick or deceased birds to implement precautions, including the use of respiratory protection, eye protection, and gloves when handling poultry. Farm workers are considered a higher-risk group.