Washington State Dairy Worker Dies of H5N1 Bird Flu

A resident of Yakima County, Washington, died on Sunday from complications related to H5N1 avian influenza.

County health officials confirmed the death, describing the patient as someone with preexisting health conditions who had been hospitalized. The individual contracted the virus after exposure to infected cattle at a local dairy operation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified the strain as H5N1. Yakima County officials did not release further personal details about the decedent.

This is the first U.S. death linked to bird flu in the past twelve months. Two other Americans died from the virus since it became a national public health concern in 2024. The first death, announced in January 2025, involved an elderly person in Louisiana who carried the H5N1 strain. The second, a Washington state resident who died in November 2025, carried the rarer H5N5 strain.

The Yakima Health District is currently coordinating with the state health department to identify and monitor close contacts of the three people linked to dairy exposure. County officials have reported that 33 dairy herds in the area recently tested positive for H5N1. They are tracking individuals who were in close proximity to these infected cases to monitor for potential symptoms.

Health authorities have tracked more than 70 human infections in the United States since the start of 2024. The CDC states that the risk to the general public remains low because there is no known person-to-person spread. A CDC spokesperson said on Monday that the agency analyzed the genetic sequence of the virus from the deceased Washington resident. The analysis found no changes that would make the virus spread more easily or cause more severe illness.

The H5N1 virus has spread widely among wild birds, poultry, and livestock for several years. Health concerns rose in early 2024 when infections appeared in U.S. cattle. Officials note that the virus's presence in the environment increases the likelihood of human exposure. They advise anyone handling sick or dead birds to wear respiratory protection, eye protection, and gloves. Farm workers are considered to be at higher risk for infection.