Yakima dairy exposure proves fatal: U.S. logs third bird flu death since 2024
Yakima County confirmed a third human death linked to bird flu in the U.S. since 2024, with the victim hospitalized after contact with infected cattle.
By Aiko Brooks ·
A resident of Yakima County in Washington state died on Sunday from complications of the H5N1 avian influenza virus. County health officials identified the death as the first in the United States from this strain in the past year. The individual, who had pre-existing health conditions, had been hospitalized following exposure to the virus at a local dairy farm.
This death brings the total number of U.S. fatalities linked to bird flu since it became a national public health concern in 2024 to three. The first death was announced in January 2025 and involved an elderly person in Louisiana who contracted H5N1. A second death occurred in November 2025 in Washington state, attributed to the rarer H5N5 strain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the most recent victim was infected with H5N1.
Yakima County officials stated that 33 dairy herds have recently tested positive for H5N1. They reported that three human infections have been directly linked to exposure at a dairy facility. The Yakima Health District is currently collaborating with the state health department to identify and monitor close contacts of those infected individuals for symptoms.
The H5N1 virus has been circulating among wild birds, poultry, and cattle for several years. Health authorities noted that the virus moved into U.S. livestock in early 2024, increasing the likelihood of human exposure. According to the CDC, more than 70 human infections have been reported in the U.S. since the beginning of 2024. The agency maintains that there is no known person-to-person transmission and that the risk to the general public remains low.
A CDC spokesperson stated on Monday that the agency analyzed the genetic sequence of the virus from the deceased patient. The analysis found no changes that would enable the virus to spread more easily among humans or cause more severe illness. This finding aligns with previous genetic assessments of H5N1 samples collected from other cases.
Health officials continue to advise individuals with contact with sick or dead birds to take specific precautions. These measures include wearing respiratory and eye protection and using gloves when handling poultry. Workers on farms are considered to be at higher risk due to their frequent and close contact with animals.
The Yakima County health department did not release additional personal details about the individual who died. The confirmation of the death was made by county health officials following the patient's passing on Sunday.
