A resident of Washington state has been hospitalized after testing positive for an H5N5 bird flu infection, marking the first known human case of this strain in the United States. State health authorities confirmed that the patient is an older adult from Grays Harbor County with preexisting medical conditions and has been hospitalized since early this month. While federal officials continue to consider the overall public risk low, the case has drawn attention due to the virus’s novelty in humans and its potential for wider implications.
Investigators have not determined the exact source of the infection, but early evidence points to backyard poultry as a possible origin. Both health and agricultural agencies are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this case to understand how transmission occurred. Avian influenza can be spread through an infected animal’s saliva, mucus, feces, and in some cases, milk from dairy cattle. Transmission risk tends to rise in late fall and winter when migratory birds come into contact with domestic flocks.
The current U.S. outbreak of avian influenza, which began in January 2022, has seen a notable increase in infections among mammals compared to previous episodes. Despite this, there has been no confirmed human-to-human transmission. Washington state officials are monitoring individuals who may have had close contact with the patient, offering testing and preventive treatment if needed.
Experts caution that the virus still presents serious concerns. Dr. Richard Webby highlighted the uncertainty surrounding its evolution, stating the virus has “pandemic potential.” He added, “I think it’s clear it’s not an easy leap for this virus to make, to switch from being a duck virus to being a human virus. I think that’s pretty clear, but I certainly wouldn’t put money on the fact that it can’t make that leap. It’s going to take a little bit of the biologic stars aligning for that to happen. We could argue exactly how likely that is, but no one actually knows. Only time will tell us, unfortunately.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 70 human cases of avian influenza have been identified in the U.S. during the current outbreak. One elderly patient with preexisting medical conditions died in January. Most human infections have been mild, presenting with symptoms such as red eyes or fever, though a few individuals have experienced more severe illness. The majority of infections occurred among people with direct animal contact: 41 cases involved cattle workers, 24 involved poultry workers, two involved other types of animal exposure, and three cases had no clear source.
The CDC recommends that anyone regularly handling animals wear appropriate protective equipment and exercise caution when around animal waste. Washington’s Department of Health advises residents cleaning bird feeders or areas contaminated with bird droppings to use gloves and disinfect surfaces with either commercial products such as Lysol or a bleach solution prepared with one part bleach to ten parts water. Residents are also urged to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, and if handling deceased birds, to use gloves, a well-fitting mask, and an inverted plastic bag. Proper disposal includes double-bagging the carcass, sealing it in a trash bin, and thorough handwashing afterward.
Officials further caution against consuming undercooked or unpasteurized meat and dairy products, including raw milk and cheese. Public health authorities also recommend receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine. While the standard flu shot does not protect against avian influenza, it can reduce the already low likelihood of a person being simultaneously infected with both seasonal and avian strains—a scenario that could allow the bird flu virus to mutate into a form more capable of spreading among humans.
Continued Vigilance is Key
Although the risk to the general public remains low, this rare human infection underscores the importance of monitoring, preventive measures, and awareness. Continued vigilance, proper handling of animals, and vaccination against seasonal influenza remain critical steps in reducing potential health risks associated with avian influenza.
