The first avian influenza death among humans in 2026 in the United States has been confirmed, according to Washington state officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The individual who died was hospitalized with severe illness after contracting avian influenza—commonly known as the bird flu—following exposure at a dairy facility that contained infected cattle, the Yakima Health District in Washington said on Nov. 1.
“Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Dr. Dave Atteberry, the health officer for the Yakima Health District, said in a statement. “Avian influenza can cause severe illness, particularly among people who have underlying health conditions.”
Officials said the person resided in Yakima County and had unspecified underlying health conditions. Citing a desire to protect the privacy of the deceased’s family, they declined to release the decedent’s name, gender, or age.
Yakima County officials said the risk of avian influenza to the general public remains low, noting that transmission of bird flu between people is rare and has not been documented in the country.
“There is no indication of person-to-person spread,” a spokesperson for the CDC told The Epoch Times in an email on Monday. “People with exposure to infected animals are at higher risk of infection.”
The case does not change the CDC’s assessment that the public is at low risk from A(H5) bird flu viruses, the spokesperson said. That decision stems in part from the fact that a CDC analysis of the virus from the deceased person identified no changes that would make the virus more transmissible or cause more severe illness.
Bird flu cases are primarily detected among animals, including birds and cattle. People who get sick with the flu usually have confirmed exposure to dairy herds, poultry, or other animals.
Louisiana officials in early 2025 reported the first human bird flu death. Another person died in Washington state in 2025.
Limited cases of human-to-human transmission have been recorded in some other countries, including China and Pakistan.
Recent testing by public health laboratories has only returned two tests that were positive for A(H5)viruses in the United States, according to the CDC.
Three human cases in total have been recorded in Yakima County this year, according to the Yakima Health District, along with cases in multiple dairy herds. No other human cases have been confirmed this year in the state, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
The CDC is prepared to help Washington state, including with additional lab testing and epidemiologic work, the agency spokesperson said.
Techniques to prevent infection include avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and wearing personal protective equipment such as safety goggles if coming into contact with sick or dead animals.
People who are exposed to infected birds, cows, or other animals, even if they donned protective equipment during the exposure, should be monitored for signs and symptoms such as eye irritation or discharge for 10 days after their last exposure, according to the CDC.
