A resident of Washington state has died from complications of the bird flu, marking the first such U.S. death in a year. The individual, who had pre-existing health conditions, was exposed to avian influenza at a dairy farm with infected cattle and had been hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the person was infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu. This is the same strain that has been spreading among dairy herds across the U.S. State health officials reported that 33 dairy herds in the county have recently tested positive for H5N1.
This incident follows two other U.S. deaths linked to bird flu since it became a national public health concern in 2024. An elderly individual in Louisiana died in January 2025 from H5N1, and another person in Washington state died in November 2025 from a rarer version, H5N5. Two other human infections have been linked to dairy farm exposure in Yakima County, and health officials are monitoring those who had close contact with the infected individuals.
The H5N1 bird flu has been prevalent in wild birds, poultry, cows, and other animals for several years. Health concerns intensified in early 2024 when infections began spreading among U.S. livestock, increasing the potential for human exposure. The CDC stated that the genetic sequence of the virus from the recent fatality showed no changes that would facilitate easier spread or cause more severe illness.
While over 70 human infections have been reported in the U.S. since the beginning of 2024, the CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low and there is no known person-to-person transmission. Officials continue to advise precautions for those handling sick or dead birds, such as wearing respiratory protection, eye protection, and gloves, especially for farm workers who are at higher risk.