Washington resident dies of bird flu after cattle exposure
The gist
A Yakima County, Washington, resident exposed to infected dairy cattle died of H5N1 avian influenza.
It is the first U.S. bird flu death in a year, and officials say public risk stays low.
How it unfolded
- 2024Bird flu became a national public health concern in the U.S.; more than 70 human infections have been reported since the start of 2024, according to the CDC.
- Jan 2025The first U.S. bird flu death, an elderly person in Louisiana infected with H5N1, was announced.
- Nov 2025A Grays Harbor County, Washington, resident died from H5N5, the first human H5N5 case recorded worldwide.