US records first-ever death from rare H5N5 bird flu strain

The US has recorded first-ever death of a person from a rare H5N5 bird flu strain that has never been reported before in humans.

The patient belonging to Washington state was hospitalized with symptoms of high fever, severe breathing problems, and confusion after being diagnosed with a rare bird flu strain called H5N5.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, this case is reported to be the historic first in which humans are infected by the strain.

As per health officials’ findings, the deceased person had a domestic poultry in the backyard, making him more exposed to the wild birds.

The state health officials issued a statement, “The risk to the public remains low. No other people involved have tested positive for avian influenza.”

“Public health officials will continue to monitor anyone who was in close contact with the patient for symptoms to ensure that human-to-human spread has not occurred. There is no evidence of transmission of this virus between people,” the statement reads.

The health officials also talked about monitoring those who came close to this person. However, the details of the respective deceased person has not been revealed yet.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also negated the severity of threats posed to public health by this case.

Bird flu strain H5N5 is not considered a greater threat to humans. On the contrary, H5N1 strain is responsible for causing 70 infections in the US in 2024 and 2025.