A Washington state resident died from bird flu contracted at a dairy farm on Sunday, becoming the first American to perish from the illness this year, officials said.
The Yakima County resident contracted the illness after being exposed to cattle carrying the avian flu at a dairy farm, according to authorities.
County health officials did not release additional details about the person who died, but said they had previous health conditions before contracting bird flu and were hospitalized before succumbing to the disease.
At least three people have been infected with bird flu after exposure at a dairy farm in the state, according to authorities.
The Yakima Health District is working with the state’s health department to monitor the individuals, as well as those close to the person who died, for symptoms, ABC News reported.
Farm workers are considered to be at higher risk of contracting bird flu, health officials said.
State health authorities said 33 dairy herds have recently tested positive for the contagion,which spreads widely among birds, cows and other animals.
The death is the third reported since the virus became a public health concern in 2024.
Bird flu had previously taken the lives of an elderly Louisiana resident in 2025 and another Washington state resident in 2025.
The disease is not known to spread from person to person, and the risk to public health remains generally low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency told ABC News that an analysis of the virus in Washington found no changes that could make it more contagious.
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