The older adult male in Washington State who tested positive for avian flu in early November has died and was the first global human case of a rare H5N5 strain of the virus, according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Health. 

As previously reported by Medscape Medical News, the individual was the first case of bird flu in the state after a 9-month hiatus. 

The individual’s identity has not been released out of respect for the family, but the risk to the general public continues to remain low, and no evidence of human-to-human transmission has appeared. The individual, who had underlying health conditions, was identified in Grays Harbor County, Washington, and maintained a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds. 

State and local health departments continue to investigate potential sources of infection in the case, which include contact with wild or domestic birds, and others in contact with this particular flock are being monitored for symptoms.

Overall, in the past 30 days, confirmed avian flu has affected 43 commercial flocks and 47 backyard flocks, with approximately 1.62 million birds affected, according to the US Department of Agriculture, which maintains the latest information on highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, dairy cattle, and other animals. In Washington State, 129 cases across five backyard flocks were confirmed in the last 30 days. 

Avian flu in humans remains rare overall, with more than 70 total human cases confirmed nationally since 2024, as of November 21, 2025, according to the CDC. Targeted H5 surveillance data are updated monthly on the CDC’s website.

The single previous confirmed bird flu death in the United States occurred in Louisiana in January 2025 and was caused by the H5N1 variant. This case also involved an older adult with underlying health conditions who was likely exposed through a combination of contact with a backyard flock and wild birds. 

Public health experts continue to recommend safety precautions such as the use of personal protective equipment for those who work with birds, cattle, or other animals that could become infected. Their advice to the public remains unchanged; avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, keep pets away from sick or dead animals, and report any illnesses.