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Grays Harbor County resident dies from first global human infection of H5N5 avian flu
- Latest: A Grays Harbor County resident has died after contracting the H5N5 avian influenza, marking the first global human infection of this variant.
- The deceased was an older adult with underlying health conditions, and identity has not been released.
- The patient had been hospitalized in King County since early November.
- UW Medicine labs confirmed H5N5 with CDC verification.
- There are 71 cases nationwide; this death is the second H5N5 death in the U.S. since 2024.
- Public risk remains low; no other infections detected.
- The infected individual kept a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds.
- Exposure to poultry, the environment, or wild birds is the likely infection source.
- Health officials monitor close contacts to prevent potential human-to-human transmission.
- Officials confirm the first global human H5N5 infection and ongoing public health updates.
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