First human case of H5N5 bird flu confirmed in Washington state

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that a Grays Harbor County resident is the first person in the United States infected with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza.

This is also the first diagnosis of human bird flu in the country since February.

The patient, described by authorities as “an elderly person with underlying health conditions,” remains hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms in early November.

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The Department of Health said the individual “had a mixed flock of domestic poultry at home that was exposed to wild birds.

“Further testing shows it is H5N5, an avian flu virus that has been reported in animals before 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 the health investigation is ongoing.

Public health experts have not noted any increased risk to the public to date, according to the press release.

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“Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States,” the report said.

The patient, who is only described as an “elderly person,” remains hospitalized according to the latest report. (iStock)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the DOH “currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.”

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The DOH urges poultry owners, wildlife handlers, and anyone else in contact with animals to exercise caution.

Measures include avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, using appropriate protective equipment, and reporting sick wild or domestic animals to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).

“Infection with both (common flu and bird flu) could lead to the emergence of a bird flu virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person.” (iStock)

The statement also points out that while the seasonal flu vaccine does not prevent avian flu infections, it is important because “infection with both viruses could lead to the emergence of an avian flu virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person.”

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Earlier this year, the CDC officially declared that the bird flu emergency was over.

The agency’s emergency response to H5N1 avian flu, which had been activated in 2024, was “deactivated” on July 2, the agency told Reuters, citing a decline in animal infections and an 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 piece” in 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 so far been limited to birds, according to health officials.