OLYMPIA — A Grays Harbor County resident died Friday from H5N5 avian influenza, becoming the first person globally infected with this virus variant, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
The department confirmed the death of an older adult with underlying health conditions who was hospitalized in King County since early November. The UW Medicine Clinical Virology Lab identified the virus, with results confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The person owned a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds. Health department sampling identified avian influenza virus in the flock’s environment, making exposure to domestic poultry the likely infection source, officials said.
Health officials continue monitoring close contacts for symptoms. No other people have tested positive, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
“The risk to the public remains low,” health officials stated. “There is no evidence of transmission of this virus between people.”
The Washington State Department of Health recommends people with backyard poultry avoid contact with sick or dead birds and get seasonal flu vaccines. The public should avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife.
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