First Human H5N5 Bird Flu Case Confirmed in Washington State
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Public health officials confirmed this month that a Washington resident has been hospitalized after contracting a strain of bird flu, designated H5N5, that had not been previously seen in humans. This case marks the First Human H5N5 Bird Flu Case in the United States in nearly a year.
Since 2024, the U.S. has recorded 70 human bird flu cases, all resulting from the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. The detection of the H5N5 variant in a Grays Harbor County resident makes it the 71st human case since 2024.
The patient, described as an older adult with underlying or chronic medical conditions, developed severe symptoms including high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress or difficulty breathing. The individual remains hospitalized.
The most probable source of infection was exposure to a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry that had contact with wild birds. The virus is typically spread through direct contact with infected animals—mainly poultry and dairy cattle—or their bodily fluids, such as saliva, feces, and respiratory droplets. Infection can occur if these fluids are transferred to the eyes, nose, or mouth, or by inhaling small dust particles where the virus lives.
Health experts currently consider the overall risk to the general public to be low. Although the H5N5 strain is new to humans, experts believe it does not pose a greater threat to human health than the more common H5N1 strain. Of the 71 total cases since 2024, only one individual has died (an H5N1 case in January in Louisiana).
Sustained human-to-human transmission of avian flu has not been documented in the U.S., which is why a future pandemic from the virus is considered highly unlikely. However, agencies like the CDC are monitoring the situation closely, as viruses mutate randomly, and the bird flu could theoretically evolve to spread more efficiently among humans. Concerns about U.S. pandemic readiness have been raised after the Trump administration recently cancelled plans to develop a bird flu vaccine, citing safety concerns regarding the mRNA technology involved.
To mitigate the spread of the virus, the public is advised to avoid direct interaction with wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle. Individuals who work with animals or are at higher risk should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and N-95 or KN-95 masks. Other safety measures include regular hand washing for at least 20 seconds, disinfecting areas exposed to bird feces with bleach or commercial disinfectants, and avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked products like unpasteurized milk or raw cheeses. Those exposed to sick birds are also urged to receive a seasonal flu vaccine, which reduces the risk of contracting both human and avian influenza simultaneously.
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Keywords: First Human H5N5 Bird Flu Case
First Human H5N5 Bird Flu Case
