A Yakima County resident died from bird flu after exposure at a dairy
A Yakima County resident hospitalized with severe bird flu died Sunday after exposure at a dairy with infected cattle, the Yakima Health District said. The person had underlying health conditions. UPI said the death apparently marks the first U.S. bird flu fatality of 2026 and third on record. The district also reported a third confirmed human case; that patient was not hospitalized.
More context
A Yakima County resident hospitalized with severe illness after contracting avian influenza following exposure at a dairy with infected cattle died Sunday, the Yakima Health District said. UPI reported that the death appeared to be the first U.S. bird flu fatality of 2026 and the third on record.
The patient also had preexisting health conditions and died from complications of bird flu. It is not releasing the person's name, gender or age, citing the family's privacy.
The health district said officials are monitoring people who had close contact with the patient for symptoms.
The district also reported a third confirmed human case in a resident exposed to infected cattle at a Yakima County dairy. That person has not experienced severe illness and has not been hospitalized.
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Verifier’s note
KOMO, KING 5, and UPI each report that a Yakima County resident died after contracting bird flu following exposure at a dairy with infected cattle. Their reports are current and consistent on the central claim.