A second US resident has died from bird flu.
The Washington Department of Health said the Grays Harbor County resident was an elderly man who had a flock of mixed poultry in his backyard. Environmental testing of the flock revealed infection with H5N5 avian influenza.
The health department did not release any other details about the patient's identity, citing privacy concerns. Earlier this year, a Louisiana man died from the H5N1 avian flu variant.
Testing at the University of Washington Medicine's clinical virology laboratory identified the virus in a Grays Harbor County resident as H5N5, making it the first reported infection of the variant in a person in the world. The result was confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The state health department said the risk to the public remains low. No other Grays Harbor County residents have tested positive for avian influenza.
“Public health leaders will continue to monitor anyone who has been in close contact with the patient for symptoms to ensure person-to-person spread of the virus has not occurred,” the health department said in a statement.
Additionally, people who came into contact with the victim's backyard herd are being monitored for symptoms.
Bird flu It is a disease caused by influenza A viruses, which occur naturally in wild waterfowl around the world. These viruses can infect other species of birds and sometimes mammals, and can be fatal to poultry such as chickens and turkeys. Millions of backyard chickens and turkeys in the United States have been culled due to positive tests for avian influenza.
More than 70 people working in the poultry and dairy industries in the United States have become infected with avian influenza.
People raising backyard poultry should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report sick poultry to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by calling 800-606-3056 or online reporting. Veterinarians Sick or dead pets or livestock should be reported with suspected avian influenza at WSDA.
The Department of Health warns the public to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and to report sick or dead wild birds or other animals to Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Never touch or allow pets to get close to dead birds or other wildlife. A number of cats, both indoor and outdoor, have become infected with bird flu. Some of them died.
“Avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, and do not feed these foods to pets,” the health department advised.
“It is especially important that people who may be exposed to poultry or wild birds receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Although the seasonal influenza vaccine will not prevent infection with avian influenza, it reduces the risk of getting both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time. Although unlikely, infection with both viruses may result in an avian influenza virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person. The seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for all six-month-olds people and older.”
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