Washington H5N5 patient dies; officials say public risk remains low
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A Washington state resident — an older adult from Grays Harbor County with underlying conditions who had a backyard flock exposed to wild birds — has died after infection with H5N5, believed to be the first human death from this rare avian influenza and the first U.S. human bird‑flu diagnosis since February. Officials say the risk to the public remains low, there is no evidence of human‑to‑human transmission, contacts are being monitored, and the CDC has said the case does not indicate increased public‑health risk. State guidance urges seasonal flu vaccination to reduce coinfection/reassortment risk, use of PPE, and reporting sick birds to the WSDA; the CDC had deactivated its H5N1 emergency response on July 2.
Public Safety
Avian Influenza (H5N5)
Public Health