US reports first human death from H5N5 bird flu

The US has reported its first human death from the H5N5 avian influenza virus, a strain previously only found in birds. The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions in Washington state, died on November 21 after developing severe flu-like symptoms. The virus was confirmed through testing. While H5N5 is a highly pathogenic bird flu, the risk to the wider human population remains low, with no signs of human-to-human transmission.