Breaking News: First Human Case of Bird Flu in U.S. in Nine Months Confirmed in Washington State
Washington state health officials have confirmed the first human case of bird flu in the United States in nearly nine months. The case,detected in a resident of Yakima County,raises concerns about potential renewed spread of the virus,even as health officials maintain the overall risk to the general public remains low.
This advancement ends a nine-month period without reported human infections in the U.S., a lull that had puzzled health experts. Globally, 26 human cases of bird flu have been confirmed this year as of August 4, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with 11 resulting in death. The recent case underscores the continued presence of the virus in animal populations and the potential for spillover into humans, notably those with close contact with infected birds or livestock.
Earlier this year, from 2024 into early 2025, the U.S.saw 70 human infections, primarily among workers on dairy and poultry farms. one death was reported, but most individuals experienced mild illnesses. While human cases had ceased in the months leading up to this new detection, bird flu continued to circulate in poultry and livestock.
In the past month alone, nearly 70 U.S. poultry flocks – both commercial and backyard – have been found to have bird flu, impacting over 1.7 million birds, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. The most recent livestock detection occurred approximately one month ago in Idaho dairy cows.
The CDC emphasizes that the risk to the general public is currently low, but elevated for individuals working directly with cattle and poultry, or those who come into contact with wild birds. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to investigate the source of the Washington state infection.
