Public Safety · Yakima County
Bird Flu Death Reported in Yakima County; 33 Dairy Herds Infected
A Yakima County person exposed to avian influenza at a dairy with infected cattle died Sunday of complications, the Yakima Health District confirmed. The individual had underlying health conditions and was one of three central Washington residents diagnosed with the virus. First detected Oct. 8 at two Yakima County dairies, the outbreak has spread to 33 herds in that county, and on Oct. 26 a Benton County dairy also tested positive and is under quarantine. Health officials say the risk to the general public remains low but warn that unpasteurized dairy products pose a transmission risk, while pasteurized milk remains safe.