US has its first human death this season connected to bird flu as virus spreads across nation

US has its first human death this season connected to bird flu as virus spreads across nation Nearly 2.6 million birds at poultry farms have been sickened during the last 30 days - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A Washington resident has died after becoming infected with H5N1 bird flu, marking the nation’s first human death from the virus this season. The Yakima County patient had been hospitalized with severe illness after being exposed to bird flu at a dairy with infected cattle. The unidentified individual had underlying health conditions. The patient’s name, age and gender were released, the Yakima Health District said Sunday. While the district stressed that the risk to the general public remains low, health officials also reported a third confirmed bird flu case in a resident of the county exposed to infected dairy cattle. The individual has not experienced severe illness or been hospitalized. In early October, the state confirmed its first-ever case of bird flu in cattle at two farms and one resident exposed to the cattle had tested positive for the flu, but the resident had not experienced severe illness, according to KING 5. Cases of bird flu have been rising again in cattle and birds across the U.S. Nearly 2.6 million birds at poultry farms have been sickened during the last 30 days, according to the Department of Agriculture - though national egg prices have yet to take a hit like in previous years. Past outbreaks at egg-laying farms have resulted in major surge in egg prices for Americans after sick birds were killed. Prices rose to $8-$10 per dozen in 2024 - though they currently sit at $1.32 per dozen, the USDA reported. Birds aren’t the only animals that have been impacted, either. There’s reportedly been concern about the spread of bird flu at a mink farm in Utah. Between September 2025 and last month, at least 5,000 people have been monitored and more than 150 were tested for bird flu. There were previously only two deaths tied to bird flu and 72 cases since the outbreak began in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has yet to update its death toll, with the latest data reported on October 15. Bird flu typically spreads through the infected saliva, and feces of infected birds or other animals. Humans are infected when the virus enters the eyes, nose, mouth or is inhaled. Infections range in severity, but can lead to acute disease that results in death. Symptoms include pneumonia, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, fatigue, trouble breathing and headaches. Bird flu has yet to spread from human to human, but experts are worried that the mutating virus could transform. “We might get lucky, and a response that is not robust may not have dire consequences,” Meghan Davis, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, told ProPublica earlier this month. “But we may get unlucky.” In Washington, the Yakima Health District says officials are monitoring individuals who had close contact with the patient and working with public health partners. “While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low,” Dr. Dave Atteberry, the district’s health officer, said in a statement. “We continue to work closely with our public health partners to monitor the situation and protect the health of our community.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments