By Matt Underwood **1st US human bird flu case in 9 months confirmed with strain only seen in animals before**
This latest news is that a resident of Washington state has contracted bird flu, making it the first confirmed human case in the United States in nine months.
The patient, described as an older adult with underlying health conditions, started showing symptoms in early November. These included a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress, which led to hospitalization.
The specific strain identified in the patient is H5N5, a type of bird flu that’s previously been observed in animals. The Washington State Department of Health has confirmed that this is the first time this specific strain has been found in a human. Though, it’s worth reiterating, according to health officials, the risk to the general public is considered low at this time.
The investigation is ongoing, and as of now, no other identifying details about the patient have been released. This includes the person’s name, age, or sex.
This case also represents the first instance of human bird flu in Washington state this year, according to local health officials.
To understand how the patient was infected, an investigation is underway. This includes looking into potential contact with wild or domestic birds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the situation.
The CDC has stated that although this is an active investigation, there’s no current information to suggest an increased public health risk as a result of this case.
It’s known that the patient has a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at their home, which also had exposure to wild birds. Health officials believe the domestic poultry or wild birds are the most likely source of the infection.
Public health officials are also reaching out to anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient.
Officials are emphasizing that there is currently no risk to the public. The Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) is working with local health departments and healthcare facilities to support the investigation.
Dr. Scott Lindquist, the state epidemiologist, emphasized in a media briefing that the risk to the general public is very low, and there’s never been human-to-human transmission. This is a crucial point, and health officials are taking precautions to ensure they’re not missing any potential signs of transmission.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, has been present in birds for decades, but in recent years, it’s begun to infect more and more mammals.
In early March 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a bird flu strain, which had sickened millions of birds across the U.S., was identified in several mammals this year.
A few weeks later, public health officials investigated an illness among older dairy cows in Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas. Shortly after that, the first bird flu infection in a human in the U.S. was reported in a Texas dairy worker.
Since then, at least 70 confirmed cases have been reported among humans in the U.S., not including the Washington state patient.
Most human cases have occurred after coming into contact with infected cattle, infected poultry farms, or other culling operations.
While the majority of cases have been mild, with symptoms like red eyes and fever, some have resulted in more severe symptoms. In January, the first bird flu death was confirmed among an older patient with underlying conditions.
The CDC and other public health officials are saying there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission, and the risk to the general public is low. However, this situation warrants close monitoring.
This isn’t like Covid-19, and the next pandemic isn’t necessarily on the horizon. Although, It’s worth remembering, that if the bird flu mutates and is able to be transmitted from human to human, that will be a very serious development.
It’s also worth noting the importance of hygiene and sanitation, like washing hands after handling poultry.
The focus remains on the current low risk to the public, as long as there is no evidence of human-to-human spread. However, it’s also true that each human infection provides another opportunity for the virus to mutate or mix with other viruses. It’s a situation to watch, not panic about yet. It’s always smart to take precautions such as wearing a mask, washing hands, and practicing food safety measures, especially when the information on outbreaks is limited.