American becomes world’s first person to die from virus strain never seen in humans before

Some stories remind us how uncertain life can be, and Washington state felt that reality after officials confirmed the first human death caused by a previously unreported strain of bird flu. The victim, an older adult with existing health issues, became sick earlier in the month and rapidly deteriorated.

The person was first seen by doctors in Grays Harbor County after experiencing a very high fever, confusion, and serious breathing problems. Tests later identified the unexpected cause: the H5N5 bird flu strain, which until now had only been detected in animals.

Once the virus was confirmed, the patient was moved to a hospital in the Seattle area for advanced treatment, marking a major turning point in the case.

Health officials say the individual kept a small backyard flock, and two birds had recently died from an unexplained illness. This makes contact with sick poultry the most likely source of exposure. Even so, all close contacts of the patient have tested negative.

Authorities emphasized that the overall danger to the public remains low. There is still no evidence that this virus spreads between people, and experts believe this infection is an unusual, isolated occurrence.

Bird flu has been present in both wild and domestic birds throughout the U.S. since 2022, especially during migration. While surveillance continues, human cases remain rare.

Events like this highlight how interconnected human and animal health can be—and how essential it is to track emerging viruses to protect communities.