Trendpills
Health authorities have confirmed the first-ever human case of the H5N5 avian influenza virus in an older adult from Grays Harbor County, Washington. The patient, who has underlying health conditions, was hospitalized in early November after developing severe symptoms including a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress. The individual remains hospitalized and is receiving ongoing medical care.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) stated that the affected person owns a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home, which had exposure to wild birds, the presumed source of the infection. This marks a significant development as it is the first documented instance of the H5N5 subtype infecting a human. While other H5 strains have caused sporadic human infections globally, this specific virus was previously only identified in animals.
The case was initially treated as a preliminary positive for a different H5 strain before final confirmation. This incident occurs against the backdrop of a wider H5 bird flu situation across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the H5N1 virus has been spreading among wild birds, domestic poultry, and, more recently, dairy cattle. This has led to a number of human infections in dairy and poultry workers throughout 2024 and 2025.
Despite this novel human infection, health officials emphasize the risk to the public is low. Avian influenza viruses do not typically spread easily between people. However, the CDC is collaborating closely with state authorities to monitor the situation carefully. This includes using its robust influenza surveillance systems to watch for any further H5 activity in the population. The agency's ongoing summary of the bird flu situation notes that it is working with states to monitor people with animal exposures to quickly identify any new cases. State and county officials continue to investigate potential sources of infection and track any close contacts of the patient as a precautionary measure.
