Washington State H5N1/H5N5 in Humans 2025-26

[Commonground]

Media
Positive case of human bird flu infection reported in Washington state (preliminary test is positive)


by KOMO News Staff
Thu, November 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Updated Thu, November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM​


GRAYS HARBOR, Wash. — A Grays Harbor County resident has preliminarily tested positive for avian influenza (bird flu), marking what could be the first human case of the virus reported in Washington in 2025.

Confirmatory testing is underway at the Washington State Public Health Laboratories.

The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized in early November after developing a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress. They are currently receiving treatment in King County, following previous care in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties.

Health officials are investigating potential sources of the infection, including contact with wild or domestic birds.

Despite the preliminary positive test, public health disease experts have not identified any risk to the general public. The Washington State Department of Health is collaborating with local health departments and healthcare facilities to support the ongoing investigation.

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Public health officials are monitoring anyone who has been in close contact with the patient to ensure that human-to-human transmission is not occurring.

more....

https://wwmt.com/news/nation-world/...ever-confusion-respiratory-infection-symptoms
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[Commonground]

Grays Harbor County resident tests preliminarily positive for avian influenza

For immediate release: November 13, 2025​
If confirmed, this would be the first human case of avian influenza reported in Washington in 2025


OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor County resident has tested preliminarily positive for avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Confirmatory testing through the Washington State Public Health Laboratories is pending.

Health officials are working to determine the potential sources of the infection, including contact with wild or domestic birds. The person, who is an older adult with underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress and was hospitalized in early November. They are currently receiving treatment in King County after previously being treated in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties.

Public health disease experts have not identified any risk to the public. The Washington State Department of Health is working with the local health departments and healthcare facilities to support the investigation.

About Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a disease caused by influenza type A viruses, which naturally occur in wild aquatic birds around the world. These viruses can infect other bird species, and, occasionally mammals, and can be deadly to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. On rare occasions, avian influenza viruses can infect people and make them sick. Most cases have occurred in people who were exposed to sick or infected animals. Reported human cases of avian influenza in the United States have typically been mild, with symptoms such as conjunctivitis (red eyes), fever, and respiratory symptoms.

The risk of avian influenza increases in the fall and winter because migratory birds can carry the virus and spread it to domestic animals including commercial poultry farms and backyard flocks.

Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States. To ensure that human-to-human spread is not occurring, public health officials are contacting anyone who has been in close contact with the patient to monitor for symptoms and provide testing and treatment as needed.

Public Health Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently considers the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low. However, people who work with or have recreational contact with infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected domestic or wild animals, are at higher risk and should take precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and fluid-resistant coveralls or other outerwear.

People with backyard poultry should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report illness to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by calling 1-800-606-3056 or reporting online. Veterinarians should report sick or dead domestic animals or livestock suspected of having avian influenza to WSDA. Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report sick or dead wild birds or other animals to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. Never handle or allow pets near dead birds or other wildlife.

Avoid eating raw or undercooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, and don’t feed these products to pets.

It is especially important that people who may have exposure to sick birds get a seasonal flu vaccine. While the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent bird flu infection, it reduces the risk of becoming sick with both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time. Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older.

Our website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Get updates by following us on social media.​

​
https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/grays-h...-tests-preliminarily-positive-avian-influenza

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[sharon sanders]

Please see:

US - Humans with full or partial test positive H5N1/H5N5 results list (CDC + states + seropositive + assay positive)


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from above list, 2024 Washington state human cases - all poultry workers (and all H5N1):


United States - 2 more cases added by Washington state as poultry exposure. No details. Nov. 6

United States - 3 more "probable" cases in Washington state - poultry contact.

United States - 1 additional human case from poultry in Washington state​

United States - 3 additional human cases from poultry in Washington state - diagnosed in Oregon.

United States - 1 additional poultry worker in Washington state

United States - 4 poultry workers in Washington state
​​​

 

[sharon sanders]

hat tip Shiloh


H5N1 has been in wild birds in Grays Harbor county since at least 2022:​


Bird flu detected in Grays Harbor County​ (goose)
December 3, 2022
https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...25-bird-flu-in-wild-birds?p=964068#post964068



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hat tip Pathfinder


Per the USDA:

Washington Grays Harbor 10/23/2023 6/5/2024 EA H5N1 Bald eagle Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...25-bird-flu-in-wild-birds?p=996291#post996291

 

[Michael Coston]

WA State DOH: Grays Harbor County Resident Tests Preliminarily Positive for Avian Influenza





Grays Harbor County - Credit Wikipedia



#18,944

Late yesterday the Washington State Department of Health emailed out the following announcement on their first presumed H5N1 case of 2025. It was just over a year ago (Oct 21st, 2024) that WA announced their first (4) cases, among poultry cullers.

By the end of 2024, WA State had recorded 11 confirmed and 3 probable (mostly mild) human infections among agricultural workers, all exposed to infected poultry.
​

In early 2025 Washington State was among several states reporting cats infected with H5N1 (see Washington State (WSDA) Announces 2 Households with H5N1 Infected Cats Linked to Raw Food).


Today's human case (which requires confirmation by the state lab) appears to be more severe, and the route of exposure has yet to be determined. Beyond that, we know this is an older adult with comorbidities, who has been hospitalized for more than a week.

There is no word yet on the genotype of this virus. In fact, we've seen very little data on any of the poultry and wild bird outbreaks this fall.​

Last year, the B3.13 (aka `Bovine') genotype was associated with milder human infections (mostly conjunctivitis), while the D1.1 and D1.3 genotypes tended to produce more severe symptoms (including 1 death).



The full press release follows. I'll have a bit more, after the break.

Grays Harbor County resident tests preliminarily positive for avian influenza

For immediate release: November 13, 2025 (25-136)

Contact: DOH Communications

If confirmed, this would be the first human case of avian influenza reported in Washington in 2025

OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor County resident has tested preliminarily positive for avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Confirmatory testing through the Washington State Public Health Laboratories is pending.

Health officials are working to determine the potential sources of the infection, including contact with wild or domestic birds. The person, who is an older adult with underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress and was hospitalized in early November. They are currently receiving treatment in King County after previously being treated in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties.

Public health disease experts have not identified any risk to the public. The Washington State Department of Health is working with the local health departments and healthcare facilities to support the investigation.

About Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a disease caused by influenza type A viruses, which naturally occur in wild aquatic birds around the world. These viruses can infect other bird species, and, occasionally mammals, and can be deadly to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. On rare occasions, avian influenza viruses can infect people and make them sick. Most cases have occurred in people who were exposed to sick or infected animals. Reported human cases of avian influenza in the United States have typically been mild, with symptoms such as conjunctivitis (red eyes), fever, and respiratory symptoms.

The risk of avian influenza increases in the fall and winter because migratory birds can carry the virus and spread it to domestic animals including commercial poultry farms and backyard flocks.

Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States. To ensure that human-to-human spread is not occurring, public health officials are contacting anyone who has been in close contact with the patient to monitor for symptoms and provide testing and treatment as needed.

Public Health Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently considers the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low. However, people who work with or have recreational contact with infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected domestic or wild animals, are at higher risk and should take precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and fluid-resistant coveralls or other outerwear.

People with backyard poultry should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report illness to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by calling 1-800-606-3056 or reporting online. Veterinarians should report sick or dead domestic animals or livestock suspected of having avian influenza to WSDA. Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report sick or dead wild birds or other animals to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. Never handle or allow pets near dead birds or other wildlife.

Avoid eating raw or undercooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, and don’t feed these products to pets.

It is especially important that people who may have exposure to sick birds get a seasonal flu vaccine. While the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent bird flu infection, it reduces the risk of becoming sick with both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time. Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older.

Our website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Get updates by following us on social media.​

Although the steep decline in human infections with HPAI H5N1 in the United States over the past 10 months has been somewhat reassuring, the reality is it requires a combination of both diligence and luck to detect community cases of novel influenza infection.

It has been estimated previously that fewer than 1-in-100 novel swine flu infections are picked up by passive surveillance (see CID Journal: Estimates Of Human Infection From H3N2v (Jul 2011-Apr 2012).​

Many with mild or moderate symptoms will not seek a doctor's advice, and among those who do, most will not be tested for novel influenza. And of course, asymptomatic cases are almost certain to be missed.

In January of 2025, the CDC issued guidance (see CDC HAN: Accelerated Subtyping of Influenza A in Hospitalized Patients) calling for more robust inpatient testing - and while some progress appears to have been made - it is unclear what the level of compliance is to these guidelines across the nation.​

Obviously, these steps are only likely to capture hospitalized patients. Those attending clinics or private physicians are less likely to be tested for novel flu.

While one human infection does tell us much, it does confirm that the threat of human infection has not gone away.​

Stay tuned.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/11/wa-state-doh-grays-harbor-county.html​

 

[sharon sanders]

Also please see:

Washington state: 2022-2025 bird flu in wild birds​

Washington state 2025-26 Avian Flu in Poultry​

Washington: 2024-2025 Avian flu in mammals​

Washington - 2023-2024 Bird flu in poultry​

 

[Pathfinder]

​
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Avian Influenza

Current events | How does it spread | What can I do? | PPE | Hunting | Backyard Flocks | Resources

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally in wild aquatic birds, but can also infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl) and other bird species, as well as wildlife and domestic animals. Bird flu viruses can also infect people and make them sick. This typically has only happened to people who have had close contact with avian influenza-infected birds or other animals or to environments where infected animals are or have been present.

Current events

A strain of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been circulating in wild birds around the world and was first detected in the U.S. in January 2022. This avian influenza strain has also infected domestic poultry, including commercial and backyard flocks, as well as wild and domestic mammals, including dairy cattle and domestic cats. It was first identified in Washington state in a backyard flock in May 2022.

Public health officials work closely with local, state, and federal partners to monitor avian influenza in Washington state. Public health officials identify people exposed to infected animals to provide prevention recommendations, conduct symptom monitoring, and provide testing and treatment when indicated. The first human cases of H5 avian influenza were reported in Washington state in October 2024. To date, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of avian influenza in Washington state.

​

*Washington residency could not be confirmed for one case with exposure to poultry in Washington.

^Currently under investigation; case classification and source of infection may be updated.

*Updates to national public health reporting and notification of novel influenza A infections were approved by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) in June 2024 and enacted in September 2024. Whether a case is counted as confirmed or probable is determined after completion of a public health case investigation and takes into account a person's exposure to avian influenza virus, whether confirmatory testing at the CDC was negative or positive, and whether a person experienced symptoms of illness. The specific criteria used to determine if a case is confirmed, or probable is based on a standardized case definition for public health surveillance which allows states to apply the same criteria and to count cases in the same manner for national reporting.

What's happened and where?

• Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Bird Flu webpage for current and past detections of avian influenza in poultry and other domestic animals in Washington state.
• Visit the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Bird Flu webpage for current and past detections of avian influenza in wild birds and other wildlife in Washington state.
• Both the CDC and USDA provide updated information on positive detections of H5N1 in humans and animals across the country. The CDC also has a report summarizing both human and animal surveillance data.

How does avian influenza spread from birds and animals to people?

Birds and other animals infected with avian influenza shed the virus in their saliva, mucous and feces. Infected dairy cattle also shed the virus in milk. People can become infected if the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth or if it is breathed in.

Bird flu infections in people are rare and most commonly occur after prolonged contact with infected birds or other animals while not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

How can my backyard birds spread the flu?

• How Infected Backyard Poultry Could Spread Bird Flu to People (PDF) (CDC)

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Should I be concerned?

• CDC currently considers the risk to the general public's health to be low. However, people with close or prolonged contact with infected birds or animals or their environments are at higher risk of infection and should be aware of the risk of exposure to avian influenza so that they can take proper precautions and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Sporadic human cases and clusters of cases infected with the currently circulating H5N1 strain have been reported worldwide and within the United States. To-date, most people infected with H5N1 report significant contact with infected animals, or with heavily contaminated environments where infected animals have been present, and human-to-human transmission is not suspected. For more information, see the CDC's H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation webpage.
• As a precautionary measure, people who have had known contact with infected birds or other animals will be contacted by public health to discuss exposure risk and symptom monitoring to ensure prompt testing and treatment of any suspected human cases.

What can I do?

• You should wear recommend personal protective equipment (PPE) if you have direct or close (within six feet) contact with sick or dead wild and domesticated animals, their feces, or anything in their environment or when entering any structures where there are sick or dead animals present.
• If you need to clean up bird feces, such as underneath a bird feeder or on outdoor furniture, wear gloves and use a disinfectant such as 1 part bleach to 10 parts water or a benzalkonium chloride-based commercial disinfectant (such as Lysol spray or a similar product). Thoroughly wet the area to be cleaned with the disinfectant and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping with a disposable cloth or paper towel. Discard used cloths or towels in a sealing trash can. Wash hands with soap and water immediately.
• Do not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or related uncooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw cheeses.
• Do not feed raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products or raw or undercooked pet foods to your pets.

Recommended PPE and how to safely remove it

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• Prevent Avian Influenza- Keep yourself and your family safe with PPE (PDF) | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional | Somali | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese
• How to safely put on and take off PPE: Backyard Flock Owners: Take Steps to Protect Yourself from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) (CDC)

Hunting

• Hunters should follow standard safety steps to avoid potential exposure to avian influenza and other viruses or bacteria. Hunters' Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Guide for Hunters: Disease Prevention Best Practices (PDF)
• Guía para cazadores: Mejores prácticas para la prevención de enfermedades (PDF)

Pets and Bird Flu

• Bird flu viruses can infect and spread to other animals, including pets. Cats appear to be particularly susceptible to severe illness from infection with bird flu viruses.
• To prevent illness in cats:
  • Prevent cats from hunting wild birds or other mammals.
  • Do not feed raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products or raw or undercooked meat or pet foods to your pets. Learn more about recent raw pet food recalls on the WSDA Recalls and Health Alerts page.
  • If you have exposure to animals possibly infected with bird flu outside of your home, follow recommendations on personal protective equipment use and never bring or wear clothing or equipment used around infected animals home.
• If your pet is showing signs of illness, contact your veterinarian. Signs of bird flu illness in cats can include fever, fatigue, low appetite, red eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurologic symptoms like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness.
• Follow these recommendations while your cat is experiencing symptoms of illness to best prevent potential spread of avian influenza to other people or animals in your home:
  • If able, isolate your cat in a room separated from other animals and people in the household; do not allow your cat to go outdoors.
  • Avoid unprotected contact with an infected cat and surfaces that may be contaminated with their saliva, mucous, or feces, including when cleaning their litterbox.
  • Wash your hands after handling your cat, feeding your cat, and cleaning their environment (e.g., litterbox).
  • Limit the number of people caring for your cat. Avoid having anyone at high risk of severe illness, including children under 5 years of age, adults over 65 years of age, and pregnant or immunocompromised people, care for your cat.

Sick and dead wildlife

• Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife when possible. If you need to dispose of a dead bird, wear a well-fitting face mask and disposable gloves. Use an inside-out plastic bag to pick up the carcass. Double-bag the carcass and throw it away in a sealing trash can. Wash hands with soap and water immediately.
• Report sick/dead domestic birds to the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Avian Health Program: 1-800-606-3056./media/53470
• Report sick/dead domestic animals to the Washington State Department of Agriculture through their online reporting form.

You and your flock or farm

• Avian Influenza Guidance for Backyard Flock Owners (PDF) Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
• Avian Influenza Guidance for Poultry Workers (PDF) | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish | Tagalog (PDF) | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
• Avian Influenza Guidance for Dairy Workers (PDF) Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
• How to Prepare for a Healthy Family and Flock (PDF)
• Backyard Poultry
• Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Avian Health Program website for information on how to best protect your flock.
• USDA maintains a webpage on avian influenza detections in livestock and resources for producers and veterinarians: 2022-2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
• Call the Washington State Department of Health for questions about your own health: 1-800-525-0127.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

If you are a backyard flock owner, the following resources can help you protect yourself at home: Prevent avian influenza: keep yourself and your family safe with PPE (PDF)

Available PPE for commercial dairy producers, poultry producers, milk processing facilities, and slaughterhouses:

Washington state has PPE in stock and can make it available to your commercial facility upon request. Currently, available PPE includes disposable gloves, N95 masks, and eye protection including safety goggles and face shields. PPE items not currently available that an employer would need to provide include: fluid-resistant coveralls, head cover or hair cover, and boot covers or boots that can be disinfected. Additional outer work gloves to protect disposable gloves may also be needed depending on the type of exposure or work activities. This is a one-time provision of PPE. Should you have sick animals or a detection of H5N1 on your farm, this may serve as a stopgap until you can order more and in an ongoing way.

Once you complete the online DOH PPE Request Form, we will fill the order and cover shipping of the PPE which will be provided to the address you provide. The amount of PPE that is sent will be calculated based on the number of employees and farm personnel (veterinarians, nutritionists, consultants, etc.) that are entered into the online order form.

How will I know about new information?

We will update our website with new health-related information as needed.​
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https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/avian-influenza#current

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In Spanish language:
https://doh.wa.gov/es/you-and-your-family-illness-and-disease-z/influenza-aviar

 

[sharon sanders]

Please see:

Canada - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N5 in wild birds 2023​

Canada - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N5 in mammals 2023​

Canada - Outbreaks of highly pathognic H5N5 in crows in Prince Edward Island and H5Nx (mixture HP H5N1 and H4N6) in a blue winged teal in Manitoba (WOAH, May 1, 2023)​

Nova Scotia - Avian flu in mammals 2024+ (scroll down to last post - H5N5 cat)
​

 

[Michael Coston]

Washington State DOH: H5N5 Avian influenza confirmed in Grays Harbor County resident

#18,846


In a `the plot thickens' moment, this afternoon the Washington State Department of Health has announced their presumptive H5 case announced yesterday has tested positive - not for H5N1 - but for H5N5.

Regular readers know we've been following this relatively rare subtype for several years, mostly seen in Northern Europe, Iceland, and Eastern Canada. Two months ago I wrote:

Another thing we are watching is the slow incursion of HPAI H5N5 - which has been reported in both Canada and Northern Europe (see Svalbard: HPAI H5N5 Detected In Arctic Foxes) - into the United States.

The USDA currently only lists 23 detections (in wild birds) across 4 states (primarily Massachusetts, along with Connecticut, Maine, and Michigan), but given the limits of surveillance and testing, this likely underrepresents its range and impact.​

The USDA's most recent update lists 29 (out of 15,709) wild bird samples as H5N5, all reported on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. That it has turned up on the west coast is noteworthy, and of course, this is the first known human infection with this subtype.

The gist of the emailed announcement from WA DOH follows:

For immediate release: November 14, 2025 (25-138)

Contact: DOH Communications H5N5 Avian influenza confirmed in Grays Harbor County resident

First detection of this strain in a human, risk to the public remains low


OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor resident who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November has been confirmed to have influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently considers the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.

The person is an older adult with underlying health conditions and remains hospitalized. The affected person has a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds. The domestic poultry or wild birds are the most likely source of virus exposure; however, public health investigation is ongoing. The Washington State Department of Health is working with the local health department and the Washington State Department of Agriculture to complete exposure and animal health investigations.

Public health disease experts have not identified any increased risk to the public.
​

(Continue . . . )

As of this posting, the WA DOH website has not been updated.

For more on HPAI H5N5, you may wish to revisit:

Svalbard: HPAI H5N5 Detected In Arctic Foxes

UK APHA: More Detections (n=13) of HPAI H5N5 In Seals

More Reports On HPAI H5N5 In Iceland

Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) : H5N5 Infection In Domestic Cat

Virus Evolution: Recurring Incursions & Dissemination of Novel Eurasian-origin H5Nx Avian Influenza Viruses in Atlantic Canada

Cell Reports: Multiple Transatlantic Incursions of HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N5) Virus into North America and Spillover to Mammals
​

.
https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/11/washington-state-doh-h5n5-avian.html

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[Commonground]

H5N5 Avian influenza confirmed in Grays Harbor County resident First detection of this strain in a human, risk to the public remains low

​For immediate release: November 14, 2024​



A Grays Harbor resident who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November has been confirmed to have influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.

The person is an older adult with underlying health conditions and remains hospitalized. The affected person has a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds. The domestic poultry or wild birds are the most likely source of virus exposure; however, public health investigation is ongoing. The Washington State Department of Health is working with the local health department and the Washington State Department of Agriculture to complete exposure and animal health investigations.

Public health disease experts have not identified any increased risk to the public.

About Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a disease caused by influenza type A viruses, which naturally occur in wild aquatic birds around the world. These viruses can infect other bird species, and, occasionally mammals, and can be deadly to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. On rare occasions, avian influenza viruses can infect people and make them sick. Most cases have occurred in people who were exposed to sick or infected animals. Reported human cases of avian influenza in the United States have ranged from mild to severe, with one fatality.

The risk of avian influenza increases in the fall and winter because migratory birds can carry the virus and spread it to domestic animals including commercial poultry farms and backyard flocks.

Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States. To ensure that human-to-human spread is not occurring, public health officials are contacting anyone who has been in close contact with the patient to monitor for symptoms and provide testing and treatment as needed.

Public Health Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low. However, people who work with or have recreational contact with infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected domestic or wild animals, are at higher risk and should take precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and fluid-resistant coveralls or other outerwear.

People with backyard poultry should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report illness to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by calling 1-800-606-3056 or reporting online. Veterinarians should report sick or dead domestic animals or livestock suspected of having avian influenza to WSDA. Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report sick or dead wild birds or other animals to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. Never handle or allow pets near dead birds or other wildlife.

Avoid eating raw or undercooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, and don’t feed these products to pets.

It is especially important that people who may have exposure to sick birds get a seasonal flu vaccine. While the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent bird flu infection, it reduces the risk of becoming sick with both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time. Though unlikely, infection with both viruses could result in the emergence of an avian influenza virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person. Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older.

Our website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Get updates by following us on social media.

​https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/h5n5-av...dent-first-detection-strain-human-risk-public

 

[sharon sanders]

Please also see:


US - Avian influenza H5N5 in wild birds 2023-2025​

 

[sharon sanders]

Please see:

Canada - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N5 in wild birds 2023​

Canada - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N5 in mammals 2023​

Canada - Outbreaks of highly pathognic H5N5 in crows in Prince Edward Island and H5Nx (mixture HP H5N1 and H4N6) in a blue winged teal in Manitoba (WOAH, May 1, 2023)​

Nova Scotia - Avian flu in mammals 2024+ (scroll down to last post - H5N5 cat)
​

hat tip @@danwalker9999 for the reminder

hat tip to Pathfinder and Lance for the report and clarity


Also:

from WOAH February 2025 - H5N5 - On January 24, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was notified of mortality in a non-commercial backyard layer poultry farm in Newfoundland and Labrador.

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...fluenza-in-poultry-2025?p=1008008#post1008008

​

 

[Pathfinder]

​
Avian Influenza

Current events | How does it spread | What can I do? | PPE | Hunting | Backyard Flocks | Resources

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally in wild aquatic birds, but can also infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl) and other bird species, as well as wildlife and domestic animals. Bird flu viruses can also infect people and make them sick. This typically has only happened to people who have had close contact with avian influenza-infected birds or other animals or to environments where infected animals are or have been present.

Current events

Public health officials work closely with local, state, and federal partners to monitor avian influenza in Washington state. Public health officials identify people exposed to infected animals to provide prevention recommendations, conduct symptom monitoring, and provide testing and treatment when indicated. The first human cases of H5 avian influenza were reported in Washington state in October 2024. To date, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of avian influenza in Washington state.

​

*Washington residency could not be confirmed for one case with exposure to poultry in Washington.

^Case classification updated from Probable and Exposure from Unknown (11/14/25).
...
​
https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/avian-influenza

​

 

[sharon sanders]

hat tip tetano


Please see:
​

Cell Rep . Multiple transatlantic incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N5) virus into North America and spillover to mammals - 2024

Emerg Microbes Infect . Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N5) detected in an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2023​

J Gen Virol . Emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses H5N1 and H5N5 in white-tailed eagles, 2021-2023​

Emerg Infect Dis . Cocirculation of Genetically Distinct Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N5 and H5N1 Viruses in Crows, Hokkaido, Japan​ - 2024

Vet Rec . High pathogenicity avian influenza H5N5: the next threat?​ - 2024

Microb Pathog . Molecular identification and virological characteristics of highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N5 virus in wild birds in Egypt​ - 2022​

Viruses . Analysis of Avian Influenza (H5N5) Viruses Isolated in the Southwestern European Part of the Russian Federation in 2020-2021​

 

[Pathfinder]

New form of bird flu hospitalizes Washington state resident

Susanne Rust. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
By Susanne Rust
Staff Writer
Nov. 14, 2025 12:52 PM PT
...
The virus, H5N5, never has been seen in a person before. It appeared first in 2023 in birds and mammals in eastern Canada.
...
“Given the rarity of such infections in humans and the fact that this person was hospitalized, there is an urgency to figure out how this person may have come in contact with the virus and whether anyone else was infected,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
...
“The fact that the patient experienced severe illness from this infection only increases the urgency to know more about this particular case,” Nuzzo said.
...

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-11-14/another-person-is-hospitalized-in-u-s-with-bird-flu

 

[sharon sanders]

hat tip tetano


Please see:
​

Cell Rep . Multiple transatlantic incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N5) virus into North America and spillover to mammals - 2024

Emerg Microbes Infect . Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N5) detected in an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2023​

J Gen Virol . Emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses H5N1 and H5N5 in white-tailed eagles, 2021-2023​

Emerg Infect Dis . Cocirculation of Genetically Distinct Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N5 and H5N1 Viruses in Crows, Hokkaido, Japan​ - 2024

Vet Rec . High pathogenicity avian influenza H5N5: the next threat?​ - 2024

Microb Pathog . Molecular identification and virological characteristics of highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N5 virus in wild birds in Egypt​ - 2022​

Viruses . Analysis of Avian Influenza (H5N5) Viruses Isolated in the Southwestern European Part of the Russian Federation in 2020-2021​

Also:

Virus Evol . Recurring incursions and dissemination of novel Eurasian-origin H5Nx avian influenza viruses in Atlantic Canada​


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[Pathfinder]

Screenshot:

​
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5bb22df733ae49b29ac7b3cc3c7fc3e3

 

[sharon sanders]

Maybe they need to change that status.

 

[Commonground]

Media:

Excerpt:
Man Hospitalized With Bird Flu Strain Never Seen Before In Humans, Report Claims
By Danielle | Nov 18, 2025

Daily Mail shared:

Officials have followed up with individuals who had contact with the patient and tested those who had symptoms. There were no further cases of bird flu detected as of Friday, officials said.

Dr Angela Rasmussen, a virologist in Canada, warned on X: ‘It’s not H5N1, it’s H5N5, but that isn’t a relief to me. It’s a reassortment that put someone in the hospital. This is unpredictable.

‘I hope epidemiologists are investigating to assess who else might have been exposed, so appropriate outbreak investigation and control can be applied.’

Dr William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert in Tennessee, told Newsweek: ‘Infection with H5N5 bird flu virus likely is a rare one-off event that does not have widespread implications for the general public.’
​

​

https://100percentfedup.com/man-hos...ospitalized-bird-flu-strain-never-seen-before. [love the name of the website....]



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[Commonground]

I think so....