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Health officials in Washington have confirmed that a resident from Grays Harbor County has been infected with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza, marking the first time this particular virus has been detected in a human. The patient was hospitalized in early November with influenza-like symptoms, which prompted further testing.
The Washington State Department of Health initially reported a preliminary positive result for an H5-type avian flu. Subsequent testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the specific virus as H5N5. While various avian influenza strains, such as H5N1, have previously caused infections in humans globally, this is an unprecedented case involving the H5N5 subtype. The Washington State Department of Health confirmed the novel H5N5 infection in a statement, underscoring the uniqueness of the situation.
Despite the novel nature of the virus, public health authorities have assessed the immediate risk to the general public as low. Health officials are actively investigating the source of the infection, focusing on the patient's potential contact with sick or dead domestic or wild birds. No other related cases have been identified, and the patient is currently receiving treatment. This case represents the first human bird flu infection in the U.S. since February, creating a distinct event from the ongoing H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle that has resulted in a few mild infections among farmworkers.
Experts from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) have been closely monitoring avian influenza developments. This case highlights the virus's capacity to occasionally cross the species barrier, although sustained human-to-human transmission of avian flu viruses remains rare. The CDC and state health departments continue to stress the importance of avoiding unprotected contact with wild birds and poultry, especially those that appear sick or have died. Ongoing surveillance of avian influenza remains a critical tool for public health officials to monitor viruses with pandemic potential and respond swiftly to isolated human infections.
