A Grays Harbor County resident in Washington state has died after being infected with the H5N5 strain of avian flu, which is believed to be the first recorded human case of this strain. The person was an older adult with underlying health conditions and had been in the hospital since early November. The infection was confirmed by the UW Medicine Clinical Virology Lab and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to KOMO News.
Health officials say the risk to the public is low. The patient, who had a backyard flock of birds, likely got the virus from the birds or their environment, where the virus was found. The Washington State Department of Health is checking people who may have been in contact with the patient, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The patient’s identity has not been released. CBS News reported that this case comes after several mild H5N1 infections in 2024–2025, mostly among farm workers. H5N5 is different from H5N1 but is not considered a higher risk, and the CDC says the public risk level has not changed.
H5N5 avian influenza, a subtype that differs from H5N1 in how the virus releases from infected cells, has been linked to one recent death in Washington. Officials say there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission. The Washington State Department of Health is monitoring people who were in close contact with the patient, as per DW. Bird flu spreads mainly among birds and can infect humans through close contact with sick animals. People with domestic flocks or farm work are advised to follow strict biosecurity measures and report unusual bird illnesses. Public health agencies continue to watch for any additional cases.
