Overview
- University of Washington and the CDC verified the H5N5 subtype after initial testing on November 14.
- The Grays Harbor County resident, an older adult with underlying conditions, had been hospitalized in King County since early November and died on November 21.
- State sampling detected avian influenza in the patient’s backyard flock environment, pointing to exposure from domestic poultry or wild birds.
- Health authorities report no evidence of person-to-person transmission, and all close contacts remain under monitoring with no additional cases identified.
- Officials describe overall public risk as low and call for continued surveillance and poultry biosecurity as H5N5 is distinct from H5N1.