First Human Case of H5N5 Bird Flu: Man Severely Ill in US

A man in the United States is fighting a severe illness after contracting a type of avian influenza, H5N5, which has never before been detected in humans. This unprecedented case has raised concerns amongst global health officials.

Patient Details and Hospitalisation

The patient, an older man with pre-existing health conditions, was rushed to hospital earlier this month. He was suffering from a high fever, significant confusion, and acute respiratory distress. Medical tests later confirmed that his symptoms were caused by the H5N5 virus, a subtype of bird flu typically found in wild birds and domestic poultry.

As of last week, the man remained in a serious condition in hospital. The incident occurred at his home in Grays Harbour County, Washington, where he kept a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry. Officials from the Washington State Department of Health noted that wild birds also had access to the property, suggesting that contact with infected birds is the most probable source of the virus.

Public Health Response and Risk Assessment

Health officials have moved quickly to assess the situation. A key finding is that no one else has tested positive for the H5N5 strain. There is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission, which is a crucial factor in containing the outbreak.

However, experts have issued a cautionary note, warning that virus evolution can be unpredictable. This case is distinct from the more commonly reported H5N1 strain, which has been responsible for 71 human cases in the US since last year, including one fatal case in Louisiana. In the UK, 81 cases of bird flu have been documented, with a recent 'highly pathogenic' case confirmed in the Midlands on November 8. Other cases have been reported in Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Scotland, and Wales.