First-ever detection in humans of a disease documented only in birds

A resident of Grays Harbor County, in the state of Washington (USA), was diagnosed with the H5N5 virus, which causes a type of influenza previously detected in birds, but never in humans, the country’s Department of Health reported in a statement. As detailed in the text released this Tuesday, “the affected person is an elderly adult with pre-existing conditions and remains hospitalized”. Although the investigation continues, the entity maintained that he possibly fell ill because “he has a mixed flock of poultry at home that were exposed to wild birds”, the latter being the most likely source of contagion of the virus.

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Similarly, it is stated that “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health currently consider the risk of avian influenza to the population to be low“.

Rare disease

Avian influenza is a condition caused by an influenza A virus present in aquatic and wild birds around the world. Generally, the viruses are capable of making other birds and eventually mammals sick. Sometimes they are fatal to domestic birds such as turkeys and chickens, and on rare occasions they affect humans who have been exposed to infected or directly sick animals in places like backyards and poultry farms. The course of type A influenza can be unpredictable. In the U.S., cases of avian influenza have been reported, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. They also count one death from this cause.

In conclusion, the document emphasizes that “the transmission of avian flu between humans is extremely rare and has never [before] been documented in the U.S.”. Therefore, they point out, this unprecedented case has led to the application of a health protocol that consists of communication “with all people who have been in close contact with the patient, to monitor the appearance of symptoms and provide them with the necessary tests and treatment”.