A Yakima County, Washington resident with underlying health conditions died on November 1, 2026, following H5N1 bird flu exposure at a dairy with infected cattle. The death marks the first U.S. avian flu fatality in a year and the third since 2024. Local officials reported 33 infected dairy herds and three human cases in the county. CDC genetic analysis showed no viral mutations enhancing severity or human-to-human transmission, keeping general public risk low across more than 70 national cases.
Investigation into Washington resident's death
- ▪Yakima County health officials declined to release additional details regarding the Washington state resident who died from H5N1 bird flu on Nov. 1
- ▪A hospitalized Yakima County, Washington resident died following H5N1 bird flu exposure, marking the first U.S. bird flu death in one year
- ▪CDC genetic sequencing of the virus from the deceased Yakima County, Washington resident who died Sunday revealed no mutations increasing transmissibility or disease severity
Yakima County dairy outbreak statistics
- ▪Yakima County health officials reported that 33 dairy herds recently tested positive for H5N1 bird flu
- ▪Yakima County health officials linked three human H5N1 bird flu infections to dairy exposure
Worker safety guidance and exposure risks
- ▪Public health officials advise farm workers and individuals handling sick or dead poultry to wear respiratory protection, eye protection, and gloves
- ▪Public health officials warned that widespread H5N1 circulation in wild birds, poultry, and cows increases environmental exposure risks
U.S. bird flu outbreak background
- ▪U.S. public health concerns escalated in early 2024 after H5N1 bird flu infections spread among domestic livestock
- ▪More than 70 human bird flu infections have been reported in the U.S. since early 2024, according to the CDC
Previous U.S. fatal bird flu cases
- ▪An elderly person in Louisiana died, as announced in January 2025, from H5N1 bird flu in the first U.S. fatal case tied to the national outbreak
- ▪A Washington state resident died in November 2025 from a rare H5N5 version of bird flu
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