Third US death from avian influenza reported in Washington state
Health officials in Washington state confirmed a resident has died from bird flu following exposure to an infected dairy farm.
A Yakima County resident has died from avian influenza after exposure to an infected dairy farm in Washington state, health officials announced on Sunday. This marks the third human death in the United States linked to the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAI) strain since it was first identified in American dairy cattle in March 2024.
Authorities noted that the individual suffered from underlying health conditions, which may have contributed to the severity of the infection. The patient had been hospitalized for severe illness prior to the announcement of their death. Officials have declined to disclose the victim's identity, citing privacy concerns for the family.
Dave Atteberry, health officer for the Yakima Health District, stated that while bird flu can cause severe complications for vulnerable individuals, the current threat to the general population remains low. The incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding the virus's shift from migratory birds to livestock and the potential for zoonotic transmission.