Washington state resident dies from ‘severe illness’ after contracting bird flu

Individual, who also had underlying conditions, was hospitalized after being exposed to avian influenza

A Washington state resident has died after being hospitalized with “severe illness” after contracting bird flu, local health officials said on Sunday.

The individual was exposed to avian influenza, also known as bird flu, at a dairy with infected cattle in Yakima county, according to a news release. The person was subsequently hospitalized with severe illness and died on Sunday. Health officials said that the individual, whose identity had not been released, had underlying health conditions.