A resident of Yakima County, Washington, has died from complications of bird flu, public health officials confirmed. This marks a rare fatal human case of H5N1 avian influenza in the United States.
The individual, who had underlying medical conditions, was hospitalized with severe illness after contracting the virus through exposure to infected livestock at a local dairy facility. Local officials declined to release the person's name, age, or gender, citing privacy concerns.
Health officials also confirmed a third human case of avian influenza in Yakima County. This individual, also exposed to infected dairy cattle at a local farm, has not been hospitalized and has not experienced severe illness. Public health teams are actively tracing and monitoring close contacts of both individuals for potential symptoms.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is caused by influenza type A viruses that typically spread among wild aquatic birds and domestic poultry. In recent years, an outbreak of the H5N1 strain has expanded beyond birds to infect various mammals, including domestic dairy cows.
Federal and state health officials emphasize that the overall risk to the general public remains low. Person-to-person spread of bird flu is extremely rare and has not been identified in the U.S., according to the CDC. Agricultural workers, veterinarians, and people in close, prolonged contact with infected animals, raw milk, or contaminated manure are at the greatest risk of exposure.
Commercial pasteurized milk and properly cooked poultry remain safe to consume, as heat kills the virus.
Symptoms of bird flu infections in humans can range from mild to severe and may include eye redness, discharge or inflammation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and in severe cases, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Health authorities advise the public to avoid handling sick or dead wild birds and livestock. Farm personnel and dairy workers should wear recommended personal protective equipment, such as N95 respirators, eye goggles, and fluid-resistant gloves, when handling potentially infected livestock or contaminated surfaces. Anyone developing respiratory or eye symptoms after animal exposure should seek medical evaluation promptly.