Man in first ever human case of H5N5 avian flu dies

A man in Washington state infected with the first known human case of the H5N5 strain of avian influenza has died.12

Health officials did not provide an exact cause of death but said the patient was an “older adult with underlying health conditions.” He had been in hospital since early November and had developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory problems, Washington state health officials said.

In an updated statement the officials said they still considered the ongoing risk to the public of infection with this strain of bird flu to be low. But they urged people with general exposure to domestic or wild birds to get a seasonal flu vaccine.

“While the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent bird flu infection, it reduces the risk of becoming sick with both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time,” they said. “Though unlikely, infection with both viruses could result in the emergence of an …