First human case of rare strain of bird flu confirmed in western US
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The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that a Grays Harbor County resident is the first person in the U.S. known to be infected with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza.
The case also marks the first diagnosis of human avian flu in the country since February.
The patient, described by authorities as “an older adult with underlying health conditions,” remains hospitalized after exhibiting flu-like symptoms in early November.
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The DOH stated that the individual “had a mixed flock of domestic birds at home that were exposed to wild birds.”
“Additional testing shows that the virus is H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has been previously reported in animals but never before in humans.”
The H5N5 virus is a close cousin of H5N1 (both are types of bird flu), but they are not the same, experts say. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
Domestic poultry and wild birds are considered the most likely sources of exposure to the virus, although health research is ongoing.
Public health experts have not found any increased risk to the general public to date, according to the news release.
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“Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States,” the report states.
The patient, who is only described as an “older adult”, remains hospitalized until the latest report. (iStock)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DOH “currently consider the risk of avian influenza to the public to be low.”
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DOH urges poultry owners, wildlife keepers and others who come into contact with animals to use caution.
Measures include avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, wearing appropriate protective equipment, and reporting sick wild or domestic animals to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).
“Infection with both [regular flu and bird flu] could lead to the emergence of an avian flu virus that spreads more easily from person to person.” (iStock)
The statement also emphasizes that although the seasonal flu vaccine does not prevent bird flu infection, it is important because “infection with both viruses could lead to the emergence of a bird flu virus that spreads more easily from person to person.”
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Earlier this year, the CDC officially declared the bird flu emergency over.
The agency’s emergency response to H5N1 bird flu, which became active in 2024, was “deactivated” on July 2, the agency told Reuters, citing declining infections in animals and the absence of human cases since February.
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The H5N5 virus is a close cousin of H5N1. While both viruses come from birds and share part of their genetic code, H5N5 has a different “end part” to its structure that changes its behavior, experts say.
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While H5N1 has caused human illness (and even deaths) for years, H5N5 has been primarily limited to birds until now, according to health officials.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant at News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of topics including food and drink, travel and health.