HealthTuesday, November 3
A Yakima County person has died of bird flu as the virus reaches a Benton County dairy
The Daily Kennewick team
A Yakima County person exposed to bird flu at a dairy with infected cattle died Sunday, the Yakima Health District said. The person had underlying health conditions. Dr. Dave Atteberry, the county health officer, said "the risk to the general public remains low."
The first bird flu in Washington cattle was confirmed Oct. 8 at two Yakima County dairies. On Oct. 26, the Benton Franklin Health District said a Benton County dairy also had infected cows. It's under quarantine.
Bird flu went from two dairies to a death in three weeks
- Oct. 8Bird flu confirmed at two Yakima County dairies, the first in Washington cattle.
- Oct. 26Benton Franklin Health District reports infected cows at a Benton County dairy.
- Nov. 1A Yakima County person exposed at an infected dairy dies of the illness.
Source: Bellingham Herald
- Raw milk and cheese: unsafe, as infected cows shed virus in milk
- Pasteurized milk: still safe, with no shortages expected
- Cattle owners: report suspected cases at 360-902-1878
- Sick backyard birds: call 800-606-3056
Thirty-four herds have tested positive since Oct. 8. Dr. Steven Krager, the Tri-Cities health officer, said the virus kills 2% to 3% of infected cattle, against about 90% of infected chickens.
Nearly all of Washington's 34 infected dairy herds are in Yakima County
33 of 34
- in Yakima County
- 1 in Benton County
Sources: Bellingham Herald, Food Poison Journal
View as table
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| in Yakima County | 33 | 97% |
| in Benton County | 1 | 3% |
Sources: Bellingham Herald, Food Poison Journal