Overview
- Washington health authorities confirmed H5N5 in a hospitalized older patient from Grays Harbor County, marking the first known U.S. human infection with this subtype and the first reported human avian flu case in nine months.
- Investigators suspect exposure from backyard poultry that had contact with wild birds, with the exact source and route of infection still under review.
- The CDC reports no evidence that overall risk has increased and is awaiting additional samples from Washington for further laboratory testing.
- No human-to-human transmission has been documented in the United States, and state teams are tracing close contacts to monitor symptoms and offer testing and treatment.
- Public health guidance urges animal handlers to use protective gear, avoid contact with sick or dead birds, disinfect areas contaminated by droppings, avoid unpasteurized products, and keep up with seasonal flu vaccination.