Washington Resident Contracts Rare Bird Flu Strain

On November 10, 2025, health officials in Washington state announced the identification of the nation's first human case of bird flu since February of that year. The patient, a resident of Grays Harbor County, preliminarily tested positive for the infection and is currently undergoing treatment.

The individual, an older adult with underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress in early November and was subsequently hospitalized. Health authorities are still investigating the source of the infection, including potential contact with wild or domestic birds.

While the U.S. had not seen a human case of avian influenza in nearly a year, the virus has continued to impact poultry flocks and livestock across the country. In the past month alone, nearly 70 U.S. poultry flocks, both commercial and backyard, have been found to have bird flu infections, affecting over 1.7 million birds. The last confirmed livestock detection was about a month ago in Idaho dairy cows.

Despite the ongoing presence of the virus in the nation's animal populations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention characterizes the risk to the general public as low, although it remains higher for those who work with cattle, poultry, or come into contact with wild birds.