Washington resident dies from bird flu strain not previously detected in humans 

A Washington resident recently hospitalized with the H5N5 strain of bird flu died Nov. 21, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The individual was an older adult with underlying health conditions and owned a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds that was exposed to wild birds. Agency testing detected bird flu in the domestic flock’s environment. The individual was the first known human to contract the H5N5 strain of the virus. The agency said the risk of bird flu to the public remains low.