A resident of Washington state has been hospitalized and is reported to be ‘severely ill’ with a strain of avian influenza that has never before been confirmed in humans. Health officials confirmed the case, which marks a significant development in ongoing monitoring of bird flu in the United States.
The patient, an older adult with pre-existing medical conditions, was initially admitted to a hospital in early November after experiencing a high fever, confusion, and severe respiratory difficulties, all hallmark symptoms of a serious viral infection. According to authorities, the individual first sought care at a medical facility in Grays Harbor County, located roughly 100 miles west of Seattle. Due to the severity of the illness, they were subsequently transferred to a specialized hospital in King County, home to Seattle, where they are receiving intensive care from infectious disease specialists.
Laboratory testing has confirmed that the patient is infected with the H5N5 strain of bird flu. This particular strain had previously only been detected in animals and has never before been documented in humans, making this a unique and closely watched case. For comparison, all prior human cases of bird flu in the U.S. have involved the H5N1 strain, which is closely monitored due to its potential to cause severe illness. Experts have highlighted that the emergence of H5N5 in a human patient underscores the virus’s unpredictable evolution, though there is currently no indication that H5N5 is more transmissible or dangerous in humans than other avian flu strains.
This case also represents the first confirmed bird flu infection in the United States in at least eight months and the first in Washington state this year. Since the broader bird flu outbreak began in January 2022, a total of 71 human infections have been recorded across the country, with one fatality in Louisiana. Only four human cases have been documented in 2025 so far.
Despite the alarming nature of the case, officials have stressed that the overall risk to the general public remains low. Dr. Beth Lipton, Washington state’s public health veterinarian, stated in a press conference: “H5N5 is not a completely new virus. It is just the first time we know of that it has infected a person.” Health authorities emphasized that the virus is widespread among wild and domestic birds, but human infection remains rare.
Further details about the patient, including age, gender, and specific treatment details, were not disclosed for privacy reasons. Investigators are also uncertain about the exact route of transmission. However, officials indicated that the infection is likely linked to direct or indirect exposure to birds, either wild or domestic. The patient reportedly owns a backyard flock of mixed domestic poultry and had contact with wild birds prior to falling ill. Notably, two of the patient’s domestic birds had died recently from an unidentified illness, though the remaining flock appears to be healthy.
Bird flu viruses can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected bird saliva, droppings, or carcasses. In response, health authorities have followed up with all individuals who had contact with the patient, and any symptomatic individuals were tested. As of the latest reports, no additional human cases have been identified in connection with this patient.
Experts have weighed in on the implications of the case. Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a Canadian virologist, commented on social media platform X: “It’s not H5N1, it’s H5N5, but that isn’t a relief to me. This is a reassortment that has led to hospitalization. The virus remains unpredictable.” Meanwhile, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert based in Tennessee, told Newsweek that human infection with H5N5 is likely a rare, isolated event that does not currently pose a widespread threat to the general public.
Historically, the majority of human bird flu infections in the U.S. have been linked to exposure to domestic poultry or, in some cases, dairy cows, which can also carry the virus. Since the outbreak began in 2022, most human cases have been reported in California, with 39 confirmed or probable infections, and Washington state, with 15 confirmed or probable cases. Nationwide, bird flu has been detected in both wild and domestic birds in every state since January 2022.
Experts estimate that approximately 174 million wild and domestic birds have been affected by avian influenza since the outbreak began, with more than 1,000 U.S. dairy herds also impacted. This year alone, since September, around 7 million farmed birds, including 1.3 million turkeys, have been infected, raising concerns about potential shortages during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Avian flu infections tend to increase during this time of year due to seasonal migration of wild birds, which may carry the virus across large distances and introduce it to new regions. While the virus has not yet shown the ability to spread efficiently between humans, experts caution that the possibility of mutation or adaptation remains a concern, and that careful monitoring is essential to prevent potential outbreaks similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated online that the risk to the general public remains low. Their website notes: “H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds globally and continues to cause outbreaks among poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers. While the current public health risk is low, CDC is closely monitoring the situation and working with states to track individuals exposed to animals. Our flu surveillance systems are actively observing H5 bird flu in humans.”
State and federal health agencies are urging anyone who handles birds to take precautions, including wearing protective clothing, practicing proper hand hygiene, and promptly reporting any signs of illness in themselves or their animals. While human cases remain rare, ongoing vigilance is essential to prevent further transmission and to better understand the behavior and evolution of this unpredictable virus.