Key Takeaways
- A Washington state resident has been hospitalized with the first known human case of the H5N5 bird flu strain
- The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions, has been hospitalized since early November with severe symptoms
- Health officials are urgently investigating how the infection occurred and whether others might be at risk
A Washington state resident has been hospitalized with a never-before-seen form of bird flu, marking the first human case of the H5N5 strain. The confirmation by state health officials has triggered urgent investigations into potential exposure sources and transmission risks.
Urgent Investigation Underway
The case involves an older resident of Grays Harbor County with pre-existing health conditions who developed severe symptoms including high fever, confusion, and breathing difficulties. The patient’s condition required transfer to hospitals in Thurston County and eventually King County, where Seattle is located.
“Given the rarity of such infections in humans and the fact that this person was hospitalized, there is an urgency to figure out how this person may have come in contact with the virus and whether anyone else was infected,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University.
Potential Exposure Source
CDC spokesperson Melissa Dibble confirmed the patient maintained a backyard flock of “mixed domestic poultry,” which health officials consider the most likely exposure source. The H5N5 strain first appeared in 2023 in birds and mammals in eastern Canada before this human case.
Scientific Concerns and Reassurances
While the CDC maintains the general public risk remains low, experts express mixed concerns about this development. Henry Niman, a molecular biologist, noted the severity of this first human case warrants serious attention.
“I think this is a big deal,” he said.
However, influenza expert Richard Webby from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital described the virus as “interesting” but saw “no reason to expect an elevated risk.”
Mutation Risks and Precautionary Measures
Research indicates some animals infected with this strain carried mutations that facilitate mammal-to-mammal transmission. Health authorities recommend protective gear for those handling poultry or wild birds and advise against consuming raw dairy products or undercooked eggs.
The investigation continues as health officials work to understand the full implications of this novel bird flu infection.
