A resident of Yakima County, Washington, has died from complications of bird flu, public health officials confirmed, marking a rare fatal human case of the virus in the United States.
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officials → die → States
The individual, who had underlying medical conditions, was hospitalized with severe illness after contracting avian influenza through exposure to infected livestock at a local dairy facility.
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who → have → facility
Local officials declined to release the person’s name, age or gender, citing privacy concerns.
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officials → decline → concerns
"Our hearts go out to the individual's family and loved ones during this difficult time," Dr. Dave Atteberry, health officer for the Yakima Health District, said in a statement.
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Atteberry → go → statement
"Avian influenza can cause severe illness, particularly among people who have underlying health conditions," he went on.
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he → cause → conditions
"While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low."
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risk → remain → public
Health officials on Monday also confirmed a third human case of avian influenza in Yakima County.
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officials → confirm → County
That individual, who was also exposed to infected dairy cattle at a local farm, has not been hospitalized and has not experienced severe illness.
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who → expose → illness
Public health teams are actively tracing and monitoring close contacts of both individuals for potential symptoms.
"People at greater risk include dairy workers and others who have close or prolonged contact with infected animals or environments contaminated with the virus," the health district said in an advisory.
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district → trace → advisory
"If you work on a dairy farm and develop symptoms after potential exposure to infected cattle, contact your health care provider or the Yakima Health District.
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you → work → provider
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a disease caused by influenza type A viruses that typically spread among wild aquatic birds and domestic poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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that → cause → Control
In recent years, an outbreak of the H5N1 strain has expanded beyond birds to infect various mammals, including domestic dairy cows and outdoor livestock.
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outbreak → expand → cows
Federal and state health officials emphasize that the overall risk to the general public remains low.
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risk → emphasize → public
Person-to-person spread of bird flu is extremely rare and has not been identified in the U.S., according to the CDC.
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spread → identify → CDC
Agricultural workers, veterinarians and people in close, prolonged contact with infected animals, raw milk or contaminated manure are at the greatest risk of exposure, the above agency states.
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agency → infect → exposure
Commercial pasteurized milk and properly cooked poultry remain safe to consume, as heat kills the virus.
Symptoms and prevention
Bird flu infections in humans can range from mild to severe.
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infections → cook → humans
The most common symptoms reported in recent farm-related cases include the following.
- Eye redness, discharge or inflammation (conjunctivitis, or pinkeye)
- Cough, sore throat or runny nose
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue, headache and muscle aches
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
Health authorities advise the public to avoid handling sick or dead wild birds and livestock.
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authorities → report → birds
Farm personnel and dairy workers should wear recommended personal protective equipment — such as N95 respirators, eye goggles and fluid-resistant gloves — whenever handling potentially infected livestock or contaminated surfaces.
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personnel → wear → livestock
Anyone developing respiratory or eye symptoms after animal exposure should seek medical evaluation promptly.
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Anyone → develop → evaluation
The Yakima Health District updates its local avian influenza case figures and guidance twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.
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District → update → p.m.
The Aporia
