This is the Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update for Monday, November 17th, 2025. Top stories First, a new human bird flu case involving the H5N5 strain has been confirmed in Washington State. The Washington Department of Health reported that an older adult from Grays Harbor County, who kept domestic poultry exposed to wild birds, is now hospitalized with H5N5 infection. This is the first time H5N5, a bird flu subtype, has been detected in a human in the United States. Health officials emphasize that the risk to the public remains low and link the probable infection source to the individual’s domestic flock, still under investigation. Second, the national human H5N1 case count remains at 71 as of today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those, most have been mild illnesses detected in dairy and poultry farm workers. There has been only one known death, reported earlier this year in Louisiana. The H5N1 virus continues to be responsible for the vast majority of these infections, while the newly confirmed H5N5 case is being treated with similar protocols. Third, the CDC and state health departments stress that there is no indication the newly documented H5N5 case increases the risk to the general public. The CDC’s surveillance systems continue to monitor for new human infections and are working with local officials to investigate the Washington case. The agency confirmed on Friday that H5N5 does not appear to be more dangerous than H5N1, and additional testing is underway. Case numbers and trends Since yesterday, the total U.S. human bird flu case count has increased by one, now standing at 71 reported since 2024. The new Washington H5N5 case is the sole change in numbers in the past 24 hours. No new deaths have been reported. Latest statements and guidance The CDC reiterates that the overall public health risk remains low. Workers in dairy and poultry settings are still advised to use personal protective equipment and follow biosecurity measures. Health authorities are reminding the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and to report any symptoms following exposure to domestic or wild birds. The CDC is preparing for more frequent updates as the situation evolves. Expert interview We spoke with Dr. Richard Webby, flu specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Webby explained, “The H5N5 and H5N1 bird flu viruses are comparable from a human health perspective. Think of them like different brands of car tires—they serve the same function, but each may have small differences we’re still learning about. For now, we treat them with similar caution.” Looking ahead Health authorities expect more genetic testing on the Washington H5N5 case tomorrow, with results to clarify whether this strain holds specific risks for humans or livestock. Surveillance will intensify in bird populations and among farm workers in the Pacific Northwest over the next 24 hours. Further CDC guidance may follow based on these results. Thank you for listening to the Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Be sure to join us every weekday for the latest developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I. 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
