The first death from bird flu this year has been recorded in the USA

According to authorities, the incident occurred in Yakima County. The patient contracted avian flu as a result of contact with infected livestock animals at a dairy farm. According to county health authorities, the patient had underlying health issues prior to infection and was hospitalized before death. Officials did not disclose further details about the identity of the deceased.

According to official data, avian flu infection after contact with livestock animals on dairy farms has been recorded in at least three people in Washington state. Currently, the Yakima Health District, in cooperation with the state health department, is monitoring the condition of these citizens, as well as those who had contact with the deceased. Relevant agencies note that farm workers are at a high risk of infection. In addition, it was recorded that the virus was detected in 33 dairy herds in the region.

Nationwide, this death is the third since the virus came to the attention of public health in 2024. Previously, fatalities from avian flu were recorded in 2025 involving an elderly resident of Louisiana and another resident of Washington state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that human-to-human transmission of the virus has not been recorded, and the overall risk to public health is assessed as low. Agency specialists told ABC News that analysis of the virus detected in Washington state revealed no mutations capable of increasing its contagiousness.