A Washington state resident has died from complications linked to H5N5 avian influenza, a bird flu strain never before reported in humans, state health officials confirmed on November 21. The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions, had been hospitalized for treatment.
This marks the first US human case in nine months and only the second reported death from bird flu in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, and no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found.
The individual kept a backyard flock of domestic birds, which officials identified as the likely source of exposure. Bird flu has circulated among wild birds worldwide for decades, but the US outbreak that began in 2022 has shown increased transmission among mammals.
According to the CDC, 70 human cases have been reported nationwide, most involving people who work closely with animals. While most infections have been mild, officials urge protective measures for those handling livestock or poultry and recommend flu vaccinations to reduce risks of co-infection.
Click through to learn more about the evolving H5N1 outbreak, bird flu transmission risks, and why experts continue to monitor emerging strains closely.