First U.S. Bird Flu Fatality of 2026 Reported in Washington
A Yakima County resident who contracted H5N1 avian influenza from infected dairy cows died, marking the first U.S. death from the virus in 2026 and the third overall since February 2024.
A resident of Yakima County, Washington, died after contracting H5N1 avian influenza from infected dairy cattle, county health officials said on Sunday. The case is the first U.S. death from the virus in 2026 and the third since the virus first spread to dairy herds in February 2024.
The Washington State Department of Health has recorded more than 70 human infections since 2024, most of which occurred among farm workers exposed to infected cattle or poultry. Health officials note that these have been "dead-end" infections, meaning the virus has not spread from person to person, and the overall risk to the public remains low.
Yakima County health officials said they are monitoring contacts of the deceased individual to ensure no further transmission. The patient, who had underlying health conditions that were not disclosed, was hospitalized on October 31 before dying on November 1. A third person exposed to infected cattle tested positive but is experiencing mild symptoms and has not required hospitalization.
Since early October, 33 dairy herds in Washington have been confirmed infected with H5N1. State authorities are urging dairy workers to use personal protective equipment and to report any illness promptly.