A Washington state man is “severely ill” after contracting a strain of bird flu never seen before in humans, the New York Post reports.
The outlet claims the man was hospitalized after exhibiting symptoms such as confusion, high fever, and respiratory distress.
According to the outlet, the man was infected with H5N5, a “subtype of avian influenza carried by wild birds like ducks and geese.”
More from the New York Post:
The Washington State Department of Health described the unidentified patient as being “older” and having “underlying health conditions.”
The agency noted that the man has a “mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry” at his home in Grays Harbor County, on the southwest Pacific coast of the state.
Two of the birds recently died, the Washington Post reported.
Wild birds could also access the property, with agency officials believing that either set of birds is “most likely” the source of the virus exposure.
The man remained hospitalized as of last week while the investigation continues.