First Human Bird Flu Case of the Year Detected in Washington State

Health officials have reported the first human case of bird flu in the United States this year, with an individual in Washington state testing positive for the H5N1 strain. The patient, located in Yakima County, was diagnosed after exposure to two dairy herds that were also infected with the virus.

Details regarding the patient's symptoms have not been released, but officials stated that the individual is not experiencing severe illness and has not been hospitalized. They are currently isolating at home, and close contacts are being monitored for symptoms.

This case follows a surge of bird flu infections linked to dairy and poultry workers in 2024 and 2025. Since the start of 2024, the U.S. has recorded a total of 73 human infections with H5 strains of bird flu, resulting in two deaths. Experts have indicated there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, which would be necessary for a wider outbreak.

Officials in Yakima County have assessed the risk to the general public as low, emphasizing that human-to-human bird flu transmission is extremely rare. Individuals at higher risk include dairy workers and others who have close or prolonged contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Those working on dairy farms who develop symptoms after potential exposure are advised to contact their healthcare provider.

The H5N1 strain is highly transmissible among animals but is not known to spread between humans. Previous human cases have been associated with exposure to droppings or saliva from infected animals.

California has reported the highest number of human bird flu cases since the start of 2024, with 38 cases. Washington follows with 13 cases, including the nation's first human death from bird flu in November of last year, caused by the H5N5 strain. Other states with recorded cases include Colorado (10), Michigan (2), and one each in Oregon, Nevada, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, and Ohio. Louisiana reported its first human death from the H5N1 strain in January 2025.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 42 of the recorded cases have been linked to dairy cow exposure, 24 to poultry farms, three to other animal exposures, and three to unknown sources. The H5N1 strain was first detected in the U.S. in 2022 and has since been found in various animal populations, including cattle, chickens, cats, and wild animals.

Symptoms of bird flu in humans can include conjunctivitis, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, kidney injuries, organ failure, sepsis, and meningoencephalitis.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has detected bird flu in 268 wild bird samples in the past 30 days across numerous states.