YAKIMA COUNTY, Washington — A Yakima County resident who was hospitalized with serious illness after contracting avian flu following exposure at a dairy with infected livestock has died, the Yakima Health District announced.
In a news release issued Sunday, the health district said the person died “today” from complications of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
The health district said the victim suffered from underlying health conditions. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy,” the district said it would not release the person’s name, gender or age.
Health officials said the risk of bird flu infection to the general public remains low, but noted that those most at risk include dairy workers and others with close or prolonged contact with infected animals or environments contaminated with the virus. The health district said human-to-human transmission of avian influenza is “extremely rare” and “has never been documented in the United States.”
Public health officials continue to monitor people who have been in close contact with the patient for symptoms, the district said.
In the same release, the Yakima Health District also reported a third confirmed human case of avian influenza in a resident exposed to infected dairy cattle at a Yakima County dairy. The district said this person did not suffer a serious illness and was not hospitalized.
The health district said it is working with public health partners to identify and contact people who may have been in close contact with the individual to monitor for symptoms.
Gov. Bob Ferguson said he was informed of the situation and his team was working in close coordination with public health and agriculture officials. Ferguson said workers on affected farms are advised to take safety precautions, but the risk to the public remains low.
Gn Health
