H5N5 Warning US: A Washington man becomes the first confirmed human case of the rare H5N5 bird-flu strain. Know how dangerous H5N5 is, how he got infected, and what health officials are saying.

H5N5 Warning US: Initial Alert and Case Details

H5N5 Alert In US: Reports indicate the H5N5 patient who is a resident of the Grays Harbor County and lives about 125 kilometers southwest of Seattle has a backyard of domestic poultry that has contact with wild birds. And he could have been probably exposed to the virus in his farm.

A Washington state resident has fatally been reported the first confirmed human case of H5N5 avian influenza in the world. The man passed away of the virus on Friday as attested by the health department of the state.
In a statement that emerged out of Washington State Department of Health, it is indicated that the person under treatment of H5N5 was an older adult and hence he may be the first victim to be infected by the illness.

How did the Washington Man Contract H5N5 Bird-Flu Strain?

The patient is a resident of Grays Harbor County that is approximately 125 kilometers southwest of Seattle and had his backyard in the uncovered domestic poultry. A probe found out that he could have been infected at his farm.

The strain of bird-flu (H5N5) is the first bird-flu strain to be detected in human beings, however, health officials are doing everything in advance to keep the rare bird-flu strain under control.

At this point, individuals who had close contact with the patient and the flocks are being monitored with regard to possible symptoms. State health department also informed the media that this particular case is not showing any indication of human-to-human transmission. The danger to the citizens is minimal. None of the other involved people has tested positive of avian influenza, the state health officials statement said.

What Is H5N5 Avian Influenza?

Influenza A viruses are the cause of Avian flu. It is a natural infection of wild water birds around the globe which happens in rare cases of infecting human beings and causing sickness. H5, H6, H7, H9 and H10 viruses are some of the subtypes of influenza A virus that have brought about the avian influenza in humans. Avian H5N5 influenza is transmitted primarily in the feces, saliva, infected surfaces and close contact with infected birds within the flocks.