Public HealthTop story
A Yakima County resident has died of bird flu after exposure at a dairy
Bird flu reached Yakima County cattle on Oct. 8 and a death followed by Nov. 1
- Oct. 8Bird flu in cattle is confirmed at two Yakima County dairies.
- Oct. 26Benton Franklin Health District says a Benton County dairy has infected cows.
- Nov. 1A Yakima County resident dies after exposure at an infected dairy.
Source: Bellingham Herald
If you live in the Valley, here's what to know. A Yakima County resident died Sunday, Nov. 1, of complications from bird flu after exposure at a dairy with infected cattle, the Yakima Health District said. The person had underlying health conditions and had been hospitalized, and the CDC said they were infected with H5N1. The Washington State Standard reports they were a farmworker.
Dr. Dave Atteberry, the county health officer, said, “While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low.” Dairy workers and others in close contact with infected animals face the greatest risk. Two other Yakima County residents tested positive in the past three weeks and haven't been hospitalized.
- Benton County: one dairy is under quarantine after infected cows
- Pasteurized milk: safe, and no shortages are expected
- Raw milk and cheese: unsafe, since infected cows can shed the virus
- Sick cattle: call the state Department of Agriculture, 360-902-1878
- Sick backyard birds: Sick Bird Hotline, 800-606-3056
Bird flu has reached 33 Yakima County herds and three people
- 33
- infected herds in Yakima County
- 3
- Yakima County people diagnosed with bird flu
- 1
- death, on Sunday, Nov. 1
Sources: Bellingham Herald, The Seattle Times, FOX 13 Seattle
