Bird Flu in Washington: A Wake-Up Call? A Washington resident has contracted bird flu, marking a concerning first in the US. While health officials say the risk to the public remains low, understanding the potential dangers and symptoms is now more important than ever. Are we truly prepared?
The news broke recently: a resident of Washington state has been diagnosed with the H5N5 strain of bird flu. This is the first confirmed human case of this particular strain in the United States since February, raising questions about potential risks and what we need to know. This strain, while previously seen in animals, had never before made the jump to humans in the US, making this a significant development.
The affected individual, residing in Grays Harbor County, is an older adult with pre-existing health conditions. Investigations suggest the most likely source of infection was their backyard poultry flock, which had been exposed to wild birds. As the Washington State Department of Health stated, “The domestic poultry or wild birds are the most likely source of virus exposure; however, public health investigation is ongoing.