Sat Nov 22 04:49:28 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on the provided information:
Summary:
A man in Washington State with underlying health conditions has died after contracting a rare strain of bird flu, H5N5. This is believed to be the first known human infection of this particular strain. The man had a backyard flock of domestic poultry exposed to wild birds. Health officials state that the risk to the public remains low, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The CDC has previously stated that this case does not significantly increase the risk to public health. H5N5 is differentiated from H5N1 by a specific protein, and H5N1 was responsible for a wave of human infections in the US in 2024 and 2025, most of which were mild.
News Article:
First US Death Linked to Rare H5N5 Bird Flu Strain
Washington, D.C. – November 22, 2025 – A Washington State resident has become the first known person to die from the H5N5 strain of avian influenza, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The man, an older adult with pre-existing health issues, was being treated for the virus after contracting it through exposure to wild birds that had come into contact with his backyard poultry flock in Grays Harbor County, approximately 125 km southwest of Seattle.
State health officials emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low. “No other individuals involved have tested positive for Avian Influenza,” stated the Department of Health on Friday. They are monitoring those who had close contact with the deceased, but authorities assured that there is “no evidence of transmission of this virus between people.”
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement addressing the infection, asserting that available information does not suggest any increase in public health risk as a result of this isolated case.
While concerning, experts note that the H5N5 strain is not believed to pose a greater threat to human health than H5N1, which caused approximately 70 reported human infections in the United States during 2024 and 2025, primarily among workers on dairy and poultry farms experiencing mild illnesses. The key difference between the two strains lies in a specific protein involved in viral release and spread.
Health officials urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any unusual illness or unexplained deaths in domestic poultry to local authorities. They continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary.
First Piper 