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First H5N5 Case Confirmed in Washington—No Public Threat

11/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A Washington state resident has been hospitalized for the first confirmed H5N5 case.
This is the first infection since February.
The patient likely contracted it from exposure to birds.
Experts, including Richard Webby, say H5N5 poses no greater threat than H5N1, which caused 70 infections in 2024–2025.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states there is no increased risk to public health from this case.

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Story summary

A Washington state resident has been hospitalized for the first confirmed H5N5 case.
This is the first infection since February.
The patient likely contracted it from exposure to birds.
Experts, including Richard Webby, say H5N5 poses no greater threat than H5N1, which caused 70 infections in 2024–2025.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states there is no increased risk to public health from this case.