22 December 2025
Breaking: First US Human H5N5 Bird Flu Case Confirmed, CDC Warns of Potential Spread and Safety Precautions
Bird Flu SOS: Urgent H5N1 News & Safety
About
Bird Flu SOS: Urgent H5N1 News & Safety
[Podcast Script: Begin Reading Verbatim]
Host: Welcome to Bird Flu SOS: Urgent H5N1 News & Safety. I'm your host, and today we have a critical update. On November 15, 2025, the World Health Organization confirmed the first human case of influenza A(H5N5) in the United States, in Washington State. This marks the 71st H5 human case in the US since early 2024, the first since February, and tragically, the patient, an adult with underlying conditions, died on November 21 after severe illness including fever and hospitalization. WHO reports this H5N5 virus, from clade 2.3.4.4b circulating in wild birds and mammals since 2023, is the first globally confirmed in humans.
This development is alarming, says Scott Hensley, microbiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, because the dominant H5N1 2.3.4.4b form infects more species than any prior avian flu, raising spillover risks. Paul Offit of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia calls it an unrealized threat needing vigilance: even one death in 70 cases doesn't bode well if it adapts for easier human spread. CDC emphasizes no human-to-human transmission has occurred, but they're enhancing surveillance after monitoring over 30,100 exposed people and testing 1,260 since March 2024.
If you're in Washington State or areas with infected birds, dairy cows, or poultry like the 800+ US herds since 2024, take immediate action: Avoid contact with sick or dead birds, wild mammals, unpasteurized milk, or livestock. Wear PPE like gloves, goggles, N95 masks, and gowns if exposed through work. Cook poultry and eggs to 165°F; pasteurize milk. CDC urges monitoring exposed individuals for 10 days post-exposure.
Warning signs demanding emergency response: Sudden fever, cough, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, or severe respiratory distress. High viral loads in raw milk mean risk there too. If symptoms hit, isolate immediately, call 911 or your doctor, and request influenza A(H5) testing.
For help, contact CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit cdc.gov/bird-flu. State health departments offer exposure reporting. Vaccines are stockpiled: US has millions ready, EU 665,000 doses.
Stay informed, prepared, not panicked: Risk to public is low, but this H5N5 case underscores vigilance against mutations enabling airborne spread.
Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.
[End Script - Word count: 498 | Character count: 2876 including spaces]
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
[Podcast Script: Begin Reading Verbatim]
Host: Welcome to Bird Flu SOS: Urgent H5N1 News & Safety. I'm your host, and today we have a critical update. On November 15, 2025, the World Health Organization confirmed the first human case of influenza A(H5N5) in the United States, in Washington State. This marks the 71st H5 human case in the US since early 2024, the first since February, and tragically, the patient, an adult with underlying conditions, died on November 21 after severe illness including fever and hospitalization. WHO reports this H5N5 virus, from clade 2.3.4.4b circulating in wild birds and mammals since 2023, is the first globally confirmed in humans.
This development is alarming, says Scott Hensley, microbiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, because the dominant H5N1 2.3.4.4b form infects more species than any prior avian flu, raising spillover risks. Paul Offit of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia calls it an unrealized threat needing vigilance: even one death in 70 cases doesn't bode well if it adapts for easier human spread. CDC emphasizes no human-to-human transmission has occurred, but they're enhancing surveillance after monitoring over 30,100 exposed people and testing 1,260 since March 2024.
If you're in Washington State or areas with infected birds, dairy cows, or poultry like the 800+ US herds since 2024, take immediate action: Avoid contact with sick or dead birds, wild mammals, unpasteurized milk, or livestock. Wear PPE like gloves, goggles, N95 masks, and gowns if exposed through work. Cook poultry and eggs to 165°F; pasteurize milk. CDC urges monitoring exposed individuals for 10 days post-exposure.
Warning signs demanding emergency response: Sudden fever, cough, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, or severe respiratory distress. High viral loads in raw milk mean risk there too. If symptoms hit, isolate immediately, call 911 or your doctor, and request influenza A(H5) testing.
For help, contact CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit cdc.gov/bird-flu. State health departments offer exposure reporting. Vaccines are stockpiled: US has millions ready, EU 665,000 doses.
Stay informed, prepared, not panicked: Risk to public is low, but this H5N5 case underscores vigilance against mutations enabling airborne spread.
Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.
[End Script - Word count: 498 | Character count: 2876 including spaces]
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI