First Human Case of H5N5 Bird Flu Confirmed, Reports Cubadebate
Cubadebate reports that United States health authorities have announced the death of a patient infected with the H5N5 virus, a rare strain of avian influenza. this marks the first confirmed human case of infection with this specific virus globally.
The Washington State Department of Health stated the deceased was a resident of Grays Harbor County and “an older adult with underlying conditions.” The patient had been hospitalized since early November and died yesterday. Authorities believe the source of the infection was a flock of mixed domestic birds kept in the patient’s backyard, with tests confirming they were “the most likely source.”
Despite this fatality,health officials maintain the risk to the general population remains low,as there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Public health authorities are actively monitoring individuals who were in close contact with the patient for any symptoms, to ensure no further spread occurs. No other contacts have tested positive for the virus.
The article highlights that avian flu is commonly found in waterfowl worldwide and can spread to domestic birds like chickens and ducks. Human transmission is rare and typically linked to direct contact with infected or deceased animals.
Cubadebate also notes that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 71 confirmed human cases of the H5N1 avian influenza strain in the United States since 2024 – the most prevalent strain currently.
The report details the history of avian influenza monitoring, tracing back to a 1997 outbreak of H5N1 in Hong Kong, which triggered global health concerns with the first documented bird-to-human transmission. The World Health organization (WHO) continues to closely monitor subtypes like H5 and H7 due to their potential for mutation and increased transmissibility between humans.
Dr. Gary García Espinosa, a Veterinary Sciences expert from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), explained that H5 and H7 strains are notably concerning due to their high mortality rates and potential for widespread dissemination. He stated that constant surveillance of these strains is crucial, as they pose a risk of affecting humans.
This report is based on data originally sourced from Telesur.
