First death from bird flu H5N5 in the USA: what is known about the new strain.

According to ТСН: The first death caused by the new strain of bird flu H5N5 has been recorded in the USA. An elderly man who had contact with domestic birds died.

This was reported by the Department of Health.

The elderly man, who had chronic diseases and lived in Grays Harbor County, died from the H5N5 strain. He kept domestic birds that likely interacted with wild birds, which could have led to the infection. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save him despite the treatment.

Doctors note that currently the virus is not a widely spread threat: among other individuals who may have been at risk, no positive tests have been found. Specialists continue to monitor all who had contact with the sick person.

What is known about the H5N5 bird flu strain?

Experts believe that H5N5 is not more dangerous to humans than the H5N1 strain, which caused about 70 infections in the USA in 2024-2025. Most cases were among workers on animal farms.

The main feature of the new strain is the specific protein structure responsible for the release of the virus from affected cells and the subsequent spread of the infection.

Specialists emphasize that the risk to the US population remains low, and currently there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus.

It should be noted that in May there were reports of the spread of the extremely contagious H5N1 bird flu strain, which poses a pandemic threat. The infection has spread across all continents except Australia, affecting both wild and domestic animals, as well as dairy herds in the USA. At that point, at least 70 cases of infection had been recorded among humans.

Thus, this case clearly demonstrates the importance of monitoring bird flu and the work of medical services in preventing further spread of the virus. Keeping track of the situation will be extremely important, especially in the context of the global threat from bird flu.