A Washington state resident died Sunday after contracting bird flu at a dairy farm, marking the first reported death from the illness in the United States this year, officials said.
The Yakima County resident was exposed to dairy cattle infected with avian flu, according to health authorities.
Officials did not disclose further information about the individual, but said the person had underlying health conditions and was hospitalized before dying from the infection.
At least three people in Washington have contracted bird flu following exposure at a dairy farm, authorities said.
The Yakima Health District is coordinating with the Washington State Department of Health to monitor the infected individuals and people who had close contact with the resident who died for possible symptoms, ABC News reported.
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Health officials said dairy farm workers face an elevated risk of exposure to bird flu.
State health authorities said 33 dairy herds have recently tested positive for the virus, which has spread extensively among birds, cattle and other animals.
The death is the third reported in the United States since bird flu emerged as a public health concern in 2024.
Previous U.S. fatalities included an elderly Louisiana resident who died in 2025 and another Washington state resident who died that same year.
Bird flu is not known to spread between people, and the overall risk to the public remains low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC told ABC News that its analysis of the virus in Washington found no genetic changes indicating that it had become more transmissible.