A man is currently suffering from a novel virus that has not previously been identified in humans but has been observed in animals.
The individual was admitted to the hospital earlier this month exhibiting symptoms such as a high fever, confusion, and respiratory issues. Subsequent tests confirmed that he had contracted H5N5, a subtype of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, which is typically found in ducks, geese, and other wild birds.
Authorities reported that the man, who is described as “severely ill,” is still hospitalized as of last week, and an investigation is underway to determine the source of his infection. So far, no other cases of H5N5 have been detected.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, the patient is an older individual with underlying health conditions who kept a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at his residence in Grays Harbour County. Officials suspect that the virus may have been transmitted to the man through contact with wild birds that had access to his property.
Experts emphasized that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time, but they cautioned that the virus’s evolution could be unpredictable. While H5N1 is a more prevalent strain in the US, cases of H5N5 are rare, with the key distinguishing factor being a specific protein on the virus’s surface.
In the US, there have been 71 documented cases of H5 bird flu since last year, primarily affecting wild birds and domestic poultry. Most patients experienced mild symptoms, although a fatality was reported in Louisiana earlier this year. In comparison, the UK recorded 81 cases of bird flu, with confirmed instances in various regions including Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Scotland, and Wales.
Common symptoms of bird flu include a high fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches.