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
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker