First U.S. Bird Flu Death of 2026 Linked to Dairy Cattle Exposure
Christy Bowen
26 minutes agoA Washington state resident is the first person to die of the bird flu this year in the U.S. Read on for the details about how the individual contracted the virus, as well as what officials say is the overall risk to the public.
Washington Resident Dies of Bird Flu
The Yakima Health District confirmed this week that a person has died from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as the bird flu. The victim passed away on Sunday, November 1, after being hospitalized for symptoms following exposure at a dairy with infected cattle. Public health officials said that the patient had underlying health conditions. They also noted that the overall risk to the general public remains low.
“Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” said Dr. Dave Atteberry, health officer for the Yakima Health District. The statement went on to say that "Avian influenza can cause severe illness, particularly among people who have underlying health conditions. While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low. We continue to work closely with our public health partners to monitor the situation and protect the health of our community.”
State officials said that out of respect for the family, they will not release any additional information about the victim, including details about their name, age, or gender. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson offered his sympathy to the family members, saying in a statement, “I’m being briefed on this situation, and my team is in close coordination with public health and agriculture officials. Workers at affected farms are advised to take safety precautions, but the risk to the public remains low.”
Yakima health officials also recently announced that they have confirmed a third human case of the bird flu. This individual contracted the virus after exposure to infected dairy cattle. Fortunately, this patient has not experienced severe illness and is recovering at home.