First Human Death from New Bird Flu Strain Confirmed
Health officials have confirmed the first human death from a strain of bird flu previously unseen in people, raising concerns about potential new disease outbreaks. The patient, an older man with underlying health conditions, succumbed to the H5N5 virus after developing severe symptoms including high fever, confusion and breathing difficulties.
Backyard Flock Linked to Infection Source
The Washington State Department of Health revealed the man kept a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at his home in Grays Harbour County. Testing confirmed avian influenza in his birds, indicating he likely contracted the virus directly from his own flock. Officials emphasised that people are unlikely to catch the disease unless they have been in close contact with infected birds.
Understanding Bird Flu Risks and Symptoms
While H5N1 remains the more common strain of bird flu in the US, this case involves H5N5 - a subtype typically carried by ducks, geese and other wild birds. The distinction lies in a protein on the virus' surface. Since 2022, the US has recorded 71 human cases of H5 bird flu, with most patients experiencing mild symptoms, though a tragic death occurred in Louisiana this past January.
In the UK, there have been 81 confirmed bird flu cases reported in locations including Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Scotland and Wales. However, only seven human infections have been confirmed since 2021, all among people with prolonged contact with large numbers of infected birds.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans overlap with regular flu and may include:
- Headache and sore muscles
- Cough and high temperature
- Red, sore and discharging eyes
- Pneumonia in serious cases
Dr Robert Murphy, a professor of infectious diseases at Northwestern University, warned that this virus mutates very easily and frequently, potentially creating pandemic conditions. Infected individuals should self-isolate and receive antiviral treatment such as Tamiflu or Relenza.
Health authorities advise the public to avoid touching or picking up any dead or sick birds. While the situation requires monitoring, officials stress that bird flu has typically caused no symptoms or only mild illness among infected people in the UK.
