Human Infected With New Strain Of Bird Flu Previously Only Seen In Animals

dailycaller.com

Health officials in Washington have confirmed the state’s first human case of H5N5 bird flu — a strain previously detected only in animals. The infected individual is a resident of Grays Harbor County in western Washington, a rural area with a relatively small population.

This marks the first human bird flu case since February, and like several infections, it is believed to have originated from exposure to backyard chickens or wild birds. The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized as of Friday. (RELATED: Possible Thanksgiving Storms Could Cause Delays As Record 81.8 Million Americans Expected To Travel)

“The affected person has a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds,” wrote the Washington State Department of Health (WSDH) in an official statement.

“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.”

It was also reported by the WSDH that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering “the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.”

“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,” wrote the WSDH, adding, “People who may have exposure to sick birds get a seasonal flu vaccine.”