A man is currently in critical condition after contracting a novel virus that was previously unknown in humans and primarily found in animals.
The individual was admitted to the hospital earlier this month exhibiting symptoms such as high fever, confusion, and breathing difficulties. Subsequent tests confirmed that he had been infected with H5N5, a subtype of avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, typically carried by ducks, geese, and other wild birds.
As of last week, the man remained hospitalized, and an investigation is underway to determine the source of his illness. Health officials have confirmed that no other individuals have tested positive for the H5N5 strain.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, the patient is an elderly individual with underlying health conditions who kept a variety of domestic poultry in his backyard in Grays Harbour County, located in the southwestern part of the United States. Authorities suspect that the virus exposure may have originated from wild birds that had access to the property.
While there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, experts caution that the virus’s evolution is unpredictable. H5N1, another strain of avian influenza, is more common in the US, but occurrences are rare. The main distinction between the strains lies in a specific protein on the virus’s surface.
Since 2022, H5N1 has been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry in the US, resulting in 71 recorded cases of H5 bird flu in humans since the previous year. While most patients experienced mild symptoms, a fatality was reported in Louisiana in January. In contrast, the UK recorded 81 cases of bird flu.
Confirmed cases have been reported in various regions, including Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Scotland, and Wales. Symptoms of bird flu typically include high fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches.