A case of bird flu has been confirmed in Washington, marking the first human infection in the United States in the past nine months.
The Washington State Department of Health announced that the patient is an older adult with underlying health issues who developed symptoms such as confusion, a high fever, and difficulty breathing.
He was eventually hospitalized for treatment in early November.
Tests later revealed that the individual was infected with the H5N5 strain of bird flu. This particular strain has been seen in animals before but has never been reported in humans until now.
Despite the seriousness of the case, officials say the risk to the general public remains low.
Details about the patient – such as age, name, or gender – haven’t been made public. What’s known is that this is the first confirmed human case of bird flu in Washington this year.
An investigation is currently underway to figure out how the infection happened. Authorities are looking into whether the individual had contact with domestic or wild birds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the situation.
While the investigation is still active, they have emphasized that there’s no evidence suggesting a risk to public health at this point.
Health officials are also reaching out to anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient to ensure everyone stays informed and safe.
About Bird Flu
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, has been affecting bird populations for many decades.
However, in recent years, there’s been an increase in cases where mammals, including humans, are getting infected.
In early 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a bird flu strain responsible for infecting millions of birds nationwide had also been identified in several mammals.
Just a few weeks later, officials began investigating an illness affecting older dairy cows. Not long after, the first human case of bird flu was reported in the U.S., involving a dairy worker in Texas.
Since then, the CDC has confirmed at least 70 cases of human bird flu, excluding the recent case in Washington. Most of these infections have been linked to contact with infected cattle or poultry farms.
Luckily, most people who contract the virus experience mild symptoms, such as fever and red eyes. Still, there have been instances where individuals have developed more serious symptoms.
In January, the first death from bird flu was reported among an older patient with underlying health issues.
