A Washington state resident has died from complications linked to an infection with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza — a subtype of bird flu never previously reported in humans, the state Department of Health announced on Friday.
The patient, described as an older adult with existing health conditions, had been hospitalized and undergoing treatment when the infection was detected. This marks the first human bird flu case reported in the United States in nine months and only the second recorded human death related to the virus in the country.
Despite the fatality, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the overall risk to the public remains low. Health officials report that individuals who were in close contact with the patient are being monitored, but no additional infections have been identified and there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
According to state health authorities, the individual kept a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds. Environmental sampling around the flock tested positive for avian influenza, making contact with domestic poultry or potentially wild birds the most probable source of infection.
Bird flu has circulated among wild birds globally for decades, but the current U.S. outbreak — ongoing since January 2022 — has seen increased transmission among mammals. The CDC reports 70 other human cases during this period, most involving mild symptoms such as fever or eye irritation. The majority occurred among people working with livestock: 41 involving cattle exposure, 24 among poultry workers, and a few linked to other animal contact.
In January, another elderly individual with underlying conditions also died following a bird flu infection.
Health officials recommend that anyone working closely with animals use proper protective equipment and avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife. Caution should also be exercised when cleaning areas contaminated with animal feces, including bird feeders.
The Washington health department advises flu vaccination for anyone who may interact with domestic or wild birds. While standard flu vaccines do not protect against bird flu, they can reduce the risk of simultaneously contracting seasonal flu — a rare event that could potentially allow the virus to mutate into a more transmissible form in humans.
