1st human known to be infected with H5N5 strain of bird flu dies, Washington state officials say. This news, frankly, is a little unsettling. The headline itself is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of infectious diseases, and the potential for a virus to jump species. The Washington State Department of Health, in their news release, stated the unfortunate news: a person, an older adult with underlying health conditions, has succumbed to the H5N5 strain of avian influenza.
The good news, as health officials have emphasized, is that there is no evidence of the virus spreading between people. This is the crucial point that provides some measure of relief.… Continue reading
A person in Washington state has died from a rare strain of bird flu, identified as H5N5, marking the first human fatality from this specific strain. The individual, an older adult with underlying health conditions, had a backyard flock of poultry exposed to wild birds and developed the illness in early November. Despite the fatality, health officials emphasize that the risk to the public remains low, as no other individuals involved have tested positive for the virus and there’s no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The CDC has also stated that the case doesn’t indicate an increased public health risk.
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**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.… Continue reading
Federal health officials are alerting consumers to potential H5N1 bird flu contamination in specific lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats after a cat in San Francisco became infected and was euthanized. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of the virus in two affected lots, CCS 25 077 and CCS 250 093, with sell-by dates in September and October 2026, respectively. Genetic sequencing confirmed the virus strain in both the food and the cat was also found in U.S. dairy cattle. While the company has removed the implicated lots from circulation, consumers are advised to be aware of the potential risk, as H5N1 can cause illness and death in various animals, including cats.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended its emergency response to H5N1 bird flu, citing a decrease in cases and the absence of human cases since February 2025. While the emergency response has been deactivated, surveillance, readiness, and response for influenza, including H5N1, will continue under existing programs. The emergency response, which began on April 4, 2024, allowed for additional public health support. Experts note the seasonality of bird flu, with potential for cases to rise again in the fall or winter, but the current public health risk remains low.
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In a welcome move for diners, Waffle House has eliminated its 50-cent egg surcharge. The surcharge, implemented in February due to soaring egg prices stemming from a bird flu outbreak, has been removed following a significant drop in egg costs. The USDA reported lower egg prices in April. Other chains, like Denny’s, also implemented surcharges during this period, and grocery stores, such as Costco and Trader Joe’s, even limited egg purchases due to supply constraints.
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The Department of Health and Human Services terminated a $766 million contract with Moderna to develop an mRNA bird flu vaccine, citing concerns about the mRNA technology’s safety and lack of transparency. This decision, despite Moderna’s reporting of positive interim results from a Phase 1/2 study, shifts federal funding priorities toward vaccine platforms with established safety profiles. Critics argue this cancellation jeopardizes pandemic preparedness, particularly given the evolving threat of H5N1 avian flu and the limited availability of alternative vaccine production methods. The move has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts who warn of increased risks to the American public.
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In response to record-high egg prices, the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division is investigating Cal-Maine Foods, the nation’s largest egg producer. Despite record sales of $1.42 billion in the third quarter—primarily driven by increased egg prices—Cal-Maine’s stock fell after hours following the announcement. The investigation follows a bird flu outbreak that decimated the egg-laying chicken population, contributing to soaring egg prices and increased scrutiny of the company. Cal-Maine is cooperating with the investigation.
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To combat a 65%+ year-over-year surge in egg prices, the Trump administration is importing millions of eggs from Turkey and South Korea. This action, part of a $1 billion plan to address a devastating bird flu outbreak, aims to alleviate all-time high consumer prices. The plan also includes biosecurity measures, vaccine research, and financial aid for farmers to bolster domestic production. While imports will provide short-term relief, the administration anticipates a return to domestic egg supplies within a few months.
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A severe US bird flu outbreak has caused a domestic egg shortage and price surge, prompting the US to seek egg exports from several European nations. Following previous inquiries to Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands (with Finland refusing), the US has now approached Lithuania for potential egg exports. Lithuanian poultry officials confirmed contact from the US embassy, providing requested information. The situation has generated considerable online mockery in Europe, highlighting past US-European tensions and the irony of the US’s current predicament.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker