A resident of Yakima County, Washington, has died from complications of bird flu after exposure to infected dairy cattle. The fatal case marks the third bird flu death recorded in the United States.

The individual had underlying medical conditions and developed severe illness after contracting avian influenza through exposure to infected livestock at a local dairy facility. The person was hospitalized before dying from complications of the infection.

Local officials did not release the resident’s name, age or gender. They cited privacy concerns in withholding those details.

“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.

“Avian influenza can cause severe illness, particularly among people who have underlying health conditions ,” Atteberry continued. “While this is a serious and heartbreaking outcome, the risk to the general public remains low.”

Health officials on Monday also confirmed a third human case of avian influenza in Yakima County. That individual was exposed to infected dairy cattle at a local farm but has not been hospitalized or experienced severe illness.

Public health teams are tracing and monitoring close contacts of both infected individuals for potential symptoms. The investigation is intended to identify any signs of illness among those contacts.

“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.

“If you work on a dairy farm and develop symptoms after potential exposure to infected cattle, contact your healthcare provider or the Yakima Health District.”

Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is caused by influenza type A viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These viruses typically spread among wild aquatic birds and domestic poultry.

In recent years, an outbreak involving the H5N1 strain has spread beyond birds and infected several types of mammals. Those affected have included domestic dairy cows and outdoor livestock.

Federal and state health officials continue to emphasize that the overall risk to the general public remains low. According to the CDC, transmission of bird flu from person to person is extremely rare and has not been identified in the United States.

The greatest exposure risk applies to agricultural workers, veterinarians and people who have close and prolonged contact with infected animals. The CDC also identifies contact with raw milk or contaminated manure as a significant risk.

Commercial pasteurized milk remains safe to consume, according to health officials. Properly cooked poultry is also considered safe because heat kills the virus.

Human bird flu infections can range from mild illness to severe disease. Symptoms reported in recent cases involving farm exposure include eye redness, discharge or inflammation, which is also known as conjunctivitis or pinkeye.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing can occur in severe cases. Health authorities advise anyone who develops respiratory or eye symptoms after animal exposure to seek medical evaluation promptly.

Officials are strongly urging dairy and agricultural workers to take precautions while working around potentially infected cattle. Workers who develop symptoms after an exposure should immediately contact health authorities or a healthcare provider.

The public should avoid handling sick or dead wild birds and livestock. That guidance is intended to reduce direct contact with animals that may be carrying the virus.

The Yakima Health District updates its local avian influenza case totals and guidance twice each week. Those updates are issued on Mondays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.