Washington State Resident Dies in First U.S. Case of H5N5 bird Flu
A resident of Washington state has died after contracting a rare strain of avian influenza, H5N5, marking the first confirmed human case of this virus in the United States. The patient, an older adult with pre-existing health conditions, was hospitalized in early November and passed away Friday, according to state health officials.
This case is significant becuase H5N5 has previously only been detected in animals, never in humans. While the public health risk remains low, the emergence of this strain underscores the ongoing threat of avian influenza and the potential for viruses to cross species barriers. Health authorities are actively monitoring contacts of the deceased to determine if the virus has spread and to understand the source of the infection.
The individual who died had a backyard flock of mixed birds, and two of those birds died weeks prior to the patient’s illness. Wild birds also frequented the property, leading officials to believe the source of the infection was likely poultry or wild birds. More than 100 healthcare workers and close contacts are currently being monitored for symptoms.
Dr. Scott Lindquist, the state epidemiologist, described the patient as “a severely ill patient” to The Washington Post.
Although distinct from the more widespread H5N1 strain, experts note that H5N5 behaves similarly. Since 2024,70 peopel in the U.S. have tested positive for bird flu, primarily those with direct exposure to infected dairy cattle or poultry. State officials are continuing to monitor anyone who may have had contact with the patient’s birds or their environment.
Further information on the current H5 bird flu situation is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
SOURCE: The Washington Post, Nov. 21, 2025
