Older Adult Hospitalized With H5N5 Infection
Health officials in Washington state have confirmed the nation’s first human case of bird flu in nine months after an older adult in Grays Harbor County tested positive for the H5N5 strain. The patient, who had underlying health conditions, was hospitalized with high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress before laboratory tests identified the virus. This marks the first known human infection with H5N5 in the United States.
Likely Linked to Backyard Poultry Exposure
Investigators believe the infection likely originated from the individual’s backyard poultry, which had potential contact with wild birds. While the virus is known to circulate among domestic and wild bird populations, health authorities emphasized that there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Officials say the overall risk to the public remains low.
Health Agencies Monitoring Contacts
The Washington State Department of Health and the CDC are monitoring more than 100 close contacts, including healthcare workers, while continuing surveillance for any additional cases. Previous human bird-flu infections in the U.S. have been associated with exposure to infected poultry or dairy operations, making this case notable for involving a different avian influenza subtype.
