H5N5 Bird Flu Death in US Sees Response from Taiwan Authorities

TaiwanPlus News

The United States has recorded the world’s first known human death from the H5N5 strain of avian influenza, or bird flu, in an elderly Washington state resident who kept domesticated birds and had several chronic health conditions. In Taiwan, health experts describe H5N5 as a low-pathogenic virus and say the risk of human-to-human transmission is still low, though they are watching closely for any changes.

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00:00The first confirmed human death of the H5N5 strain of avian influenza,

00:05commonly known as bird flu, has been reported in the U.S. state of Washington.

00:09That's raised concerns in Taiwan about further human transmissions.

00:14Taiwanese health officials say people should stay careful,

00:17but that the risk of human-to-human spread remains low.

00:30According to U.S. authorities,

00:46the Washington state resident who died was elderly and had several chronic health conditions

00:50and was raising domestic birds.

00:52There have been over 65 human cases in the U.S. to date,

00:56nearly all of them among people working closely with animals

00:59and most experiencing only mild symptoms, according to U.S. CDC data.

01:05In Taiwan, authorities say there have been 72 outbreaks of the flu in local bird populations,

01:10but none in humans so far.

01:12The government has nevertheless taken some precautions.

01:14Taiwan's health authorities say they are continuing to identify potential instances of human contact with infected birds

01:40and conduct testing, while closely monitoring the situation in the U.S. and at home.

01:45Scott Huang and Chris Gorin for Taiwan Plus.

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