The first patient infected with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza, which had not previously been found in humans, has died in the US state of Washington.
The state Health Department said on Friday that the deceased was elderly and had serious health problems.
According to the authorities, a small flock of poultry of various species was found in the backyard of the patient's house. The identities of the family members have not been disclosed for privacy reasons.
To date, all about 70 human cases in the United States over the past year and a half have been associated with the H5N1 strain. The death in Washington marked a new milestone: the H5N5 virus, which had previously been detected only in animals, was first seen in humans. ru.euronews.com.
