ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Poultry workers in Washington, USA, were infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus and recovered. The viruses were clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1, closely related to viruses causing poultry outbreaks . Continued surveillance and testing for influenza A(H5) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses remain essential for risk assessment and pandemic preparedness of zoonotic influenza viruses. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/12/25-1118_article ____

  5 December 2025 Situation at a glance On 15 November 2025, WHO was notified of the 71st confirmed human case with influenza A(H5) since early 2024 in the United States of America — the first human case reported in the United States of America since February 2025 .  On 20 November, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory sequencing verified the virus as influenza A(H5N5), representing the first globally reported human case caused by an influenza A(H5N5) virus.  The investigation by health authorities in the United States of America is ongoing.  Contact tracing identified no further cases amongst contacts, and there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission .  Due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses , WHO continues to stress the importance of global surveillance to detect and monitor virological (including genomics), epidemiological and clinical changes associated with emerging or circulating influenza vi...

  The person was infected with the H5N5 virus; the risk to the public remains low OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor County resident who was undergoing treatment for H5N5 avian influenza died today .  The Washington State Department of Health offers its heartfelt condolences to the person’s family and friends. The person was an older adult with underlying health conditions .  Out of respect for the family’s privacy , we are not releasing their name, gender, or age.  The person had been hospitalized in King County since early November. Testing at the UW Medicine Clinical Virology Lab identified the virus as H5N5 , making this the first recorded infection with this variant in a person globally.  The result was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk to the public remains low .  No other people involved have tested positive for avian influenza.  Public health officials will continue to monitor anyone who was in close contact with...

  {Excerpt} Novel Influenza A Virus Infections Two confirmed human infections with novel influenza A viruses were reported to CDC this week .  One infection with an influenza A(H5N5) virus was reported by the Washington State Department of Health and one infection with an influenza A(H1N2) variant (A(H1N2)v) virus was reported by the Vermont Department of Health. One infection with an influenza A(H5N5) virus was reported by the Washington State Department of Public Health .  -- The case occurred in an individual aged ≥18 years .  -- This individual developed symptoms during the week ending October 25 , 2025 (Week 43) and was hospitalized with their illness during the week ending November 8, 2025 (Week 45).  -- Respiratory specimens collected at the healthcare facility tested positive for influenza A and were presumptive positive for influenza A(H5) at the University of Washington.  -- The specimens were sent to the Washington State Public Health Laboratory ...

  For immediate release: November 14, 2025   (25-138) First detection of this strain in a human, risk to the public remains low Contact: DOH Communications A Grays Harbor resident who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November has been confirmed to have influenza A H5 , a type of avian influenza.  Additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans .  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low. The person is an older adult with underlying health conditions and remains hospitalized.  The affected person has a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds .  The domestic poultry or wild birds are the most likely source of virus exposure; however, public health investigation is ongoing .  The Washington State Department ...

Human Avian Influenza Cases in Washington State Residents {*} [Exposure - Probable - Confirmed - Total human cases (H5)] -- Poultry - 3 - 11 - 14 -- Unknown - 1{^} - 0 - 1 -- Total - 15 {*} Washington residency could not be confirmed for one case with exposure to poultry in Washington. {^} Currently under investigation; case classification and source of infection may be updated. Note : Updates to national public health reporting and notification of novel influenza A infections were approved by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) in June 2024 and enacted in September 2024. Whether a case is counted as confirmed or probable is determined after completion of a public health case investigation and takes into account a person's exposure to avian influenza virus, whether confirmatory testing at the CDC was negative or positive, and whether a person experienced symptoms of illness. The specific criteria used to determine if a case is confirmed, or probable is based...

For immediate release: November 13, 2025   (25-136) Contact: DOH Communications If confirmed, this would be the first human case of avian influenza reported in Washington in 2025 OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor County resident has tested preliminarily positive for avian influenza, also known as bird flu . Confirmatory testing through the Washington State Public Health Laboratories is pending. Health officials are working to determine the potential sources of the infection , including contact with wild or domestic birds .  The person, who is an older adult with underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress and was hospitalized in early November.  They are currently receiving treatment in King County after previously being treated in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties. Public health disease experts have not identified any risk to the public . The Washington State Department of Health is working with the local health departments and ...