One of three central Washington people diagnosed with avian influenza, or bird flu, has died as the virus spreads in dairy cattle herds in Yakima and Benton counties.
A Yakima County person who was exposed to avian influenza at a dairy with infected cattle died Sunday of complications of the illness, said the Yakima Health District.
The person, whose identity has not been made public, had underlying health conditions.
The first highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle in Washington state was confirmed on Oct. 8 at two Yakima County dairies.
Yakima County now has 33 infected herds, and on Oct. 26 the Benton Franklin Health District in the Tri-Cities said avian influenza also had infected cows at a Benton County dairy. It is under quarantine.
“Avian influenza can cause severe illness, particularly among people who have underlying health conditions,” said Dr. Dave Atteberry, Yakima County health officer.
The person who died of avian influenza Sunday had been hospitalized.
“While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low,” Atteberry said.
Those at greatest risk now are dairy workers and others who have close or prolonged contact with infected animals or environments contaminated with the virus. Person-to-person transmission has never been documented in the United States.
However, eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products from cows or goats can pose a risk of avian influenza.
Infected cows can shed the virus in their milk, making raw milk and cheese unsafe to consume, said the state Department of Agriculture.
It also warned people not to let their pets consume raw dairy products, raw meat or dead birds. Cats are particularly susceptible to avian influenza.
Pasteurization inactivates the viruses and bacteria in milk, and Washington’s pasteurized milk remains safe for consumers, said the state Department of Agriculture. No milk shortages are expected.
Avian influenza can spread between dairy cattle through infected animals and contaminated milk, equipment, vehicles, clothing, footwear and other material or people that move between farms.
Wild birds can also carry avian influenza, but they are not considered the primary source of spread of the virus that affects dairy herds, according to the state Department of Agriculture.
Poultry are also highly susceptible to avian influenza, and other states have reported infections in commercial and backyard poultry flocks near dairy farms that have outbreaks with infected cattle.
Poultry owners, including those who keep backyard flocks, should remain vigilant for signs of illness and practice preventive measures to help reduce the risk of infection, including through contact between their flock and infected wild birds or their droppings.
People who work with or have other contact with potentially infected animals, such as hunters, are at increased risk of avian influenza and should take precautions, according to state officials.
That could include wearing gloves, masks, eye protection and fluid-resistant coveralls or other outerwear.
Avian Influenza has previously infected commercial poultry flocks in Franklin County, with outbreaks in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Human infections linked to poultry exposure were confirmed in the county in October 2024.
While about 90% of chicken infected with avian influenza die, the mortality rate in cattle is much lower at 2% to 3%, according to Dr. Steven Krager, the health officer for the Tri-Cities area.
Livestock owners who suspect avian influenza in their cattle should separate sick animals from healthy ones and contact the state Department of Agriculture at 360-902-1878 or by emailing ahealth@agr.wa.gov.
People with backyard chickens and ducks that contract avian influenza should report it to the Department of Agriculture’s Sick Bird Hotline at 800-606-3056.
© 2026 Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.). Visit www.tri-cityherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
