Yakima County resident dies from H5N1 after dairy exposure

A resident of Yakima County, Washington, died from complications related to avian influenza on Sunday. County health officials identified the individual as having underlying health conditions. The person was hospitalized after being exposed to the virus at a dairy farm where cattle were infected. This marks the first U.S. death from the disease in the past year.

Yakima County officials reported that 33 dairy herds have recently tested positive for the H5N1 strain. Three human infections have been linked to exposure at these dairies. The Yakima Health District is coordinating with the state health department to identify close contacts of the infected individuals. Health workers are monitoring these contacts for symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the deceased was infected with H5N1. A CDC spokesperson stated on Monday that the agency analyzed the virus's genetic sequence. Officials found no changes that would allow the virus to spread more easily or cause more severe illness in humans. The CDC notes that more than 70 human infections have been reported in the United States since the beginning of 2024.

Two other U.S. deaths have been tied to bird flu since the disease became a national public health concern in 2024. An elderly person in Louisiana died in January 2025 from H5N1. A second person in Washington state died in November 2025 from a rarer strain called H5N5. The CDC says the risk to the general public remains low because there is no known person-to-person spread.

The H5N1 virus has spread among wild birds, poultry, cows, and other animals for several years. Health concerns intensified in early 2024 when infections appeared in U.S. livestock. Officials warn that the virus's presence in the environment increases the chance of human exposure. Farm workers are considered at higher risk than the general public.

Health officials urge people who handle sick or dead birds to take precautions. These measures include wearing respiratory protection, eye protection, and gloves. The Yakima County resident died on Sunday, bringing the total number of U.S. deaths linked to avian influenza since 2024 to three.