A Washington (US) resident who was being treated for avian influenza (H5N5) died on Friday (21), the state Department of Health reported, in the first confirmed human case of this variant globally.
The man, who was a resident of Grays Harbor County, was elderly and had other health conditions, the department said in a statement issued Friday afternoon, adding that he owned a small, mixed breed of domestic and wild birds.
Department agents found samples of avian influenza virus at the site, indicating that domestic or wild birds were the likely source of exposure.
According to the department, the risk to the general public remains low, and no other individuals involved in this case have tested positive for the H5N5 influenza virus, commonly known as bird flu.
“Public health officials will continue to monitor anyone who has been in close contact with the patient for symptoms,” the department said. “There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of this virus.”
Those who were exposed to the breeding facility and its environment are also being monitored for any potential symptoms, the department said.
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