YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. — A Yakima County resident who caught bird flu after being exposed to infected dairy cattle has died, the Yakima Health District announced Sunday.
The district also confirmed a third human case of avian influenza in the county. That person was also exposed to infected cattle at a Yakima County dairy.
“Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” said Dr. Dave Atteberry, health officer for the Yakima Health District. “Avian influenza can cause severe illness, particularly among people who have underlying health conditions. While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low.”
Patient had been hospitalized
The person who died had been hospitalized with a severe illness and had underlying health conditions, according to the health district. To protect the family’s privacy, the district isn’t releasing the person’s name, gender or age.
The death came one day after the district reported a second human case on Oct. 31. That patient was described as hospitalized with severe illness and having underlying health conditions.
The county’s first human case was reported last month.
The person in the newly confirmed third case has avoided hospitalization, according to the health district. Public health workers are tracking down people who were in close contact with that person and watching them for symptoms. They are also still monitoring close contacts of the person who died.
Risk to the public remains low
Health officials said the general public’s risk of catching bird flu remains low. People at higher risk include dairy workers and others who have close or prolonged contact with infected animals or places contaminated with the virus.
The health district clarified bird flu spreading from person to person is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States.
As of Oct. 29, 33 dairy herds in Yakima County had tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. One herd in Benton County had also tested positive.
Gov. Bob Ferguson said he’s being briefed on the situation and that his team is coordinating closely with public health and agriculture officials.
The health district plans to update its avian influenza webpage, YakimaHealthDistrict.org/BirdFlu, every Monday and Thursday at 2 p.m. Updates will include the number of confirmed human cases in the county.