Latest News: First Human Avian Influenza Case in 9 months and First Fatal Case of Tick-Linked Meat Allergy

First Human Avian Influenza Case in 9 months

An older adult from Grays Harbor County, Washington, has tested preliminarily positive for avian influenza (bird flu), marking what could become the state’s first human case of the virus in 9 months. Confirmatory testing is underway at the Washington State Public Health Laboratories, according to the Washington Department of Health (DOH).

The individual, who has underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress earlier this month. They were hospitalized in Grays Harbor and Thurston counties, and later in King County, where they remain under treatment. Health officials are investigating potential sources of exposure, including contact with wild or domestic birds.

So far, no evidence suggests any risk to the general public. DOH is coordinating closely with local health departments and hospitals to trace possible contacts and ensure that human-to-human transmission, which is extremely rare for avian influenza, has not occurred.

Avian influenza type A viruses circulate naturally among wild aquatic birds and can spread to domestic poultry, occasionally crossing over to humans. Most human infections have occurred after direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. In the US, reported cases have typically been mild, presenting as conjunctivitis, fever, or respiratory illness.

Public health officials caution that risk increases during the fall and winter, when migratory birds can carry the virus across regions. The DOH and the CDC emphasize that the current public risk remains low. However, individuals who handle or work around birds, whether on poultry farms, in backyard flocks, or in wildlife settings, should use personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks, and eye protection.

Residents are advised to report sick or dead birds to the Washington State Department of Agriculture at 1-800-606-3056 and avoid handling wild or dead animals. Veterinarians should report suspected livestock infections immediately.

Health experts also encourage everyone aged 6 months and older to receive their annual flu vaccine. Although it does not protect against avian influenza, it reduces the likelihood of dual infection with both seasonal and avian flu viruses—an important step in minimizing severe illness and protecting community health.

New Jersey Man’s Death Marks First Fatal Case of Tick-Linked Meat Allergy

A 47-year-old New Jersey man has become the first documented fatality linked to alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a severe allergic reaction to mammalian meat caused by tick bites, according to a new case report published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice. The study, led by Thomas Platts-Mills, MD, PhD, of the University of Virginia (UVA), sheds light on the potentially deadly consequences of this growing tick-borne condition.

Alpha-gal syndrome is triggered by the bite of the lone star tick, which transmits a sugar molecule called galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) into the bloodstream. This exposure can sensitize individuals to red meat such as beef, lamb, or pork, leading to delayed allergic reactions ranging from hives and gastrointestinal distress to, in rare cases, fatal anaphylaxis.

The victim, previously healthy and unaware of his sensitivity, fell ill after eating steak during a camping trip last summer. Two weeks later, he suffered a fatal reaction after eating a hamburger at a barbecue. Initial autopsy results were inconclusive, but when his wife shared the report with medical specialists, postmortem testing revealed high levels of alpha-gal antibodies and a dangerously elevated tryptase level, which is a key indicator of severe allergic reaction.

“This patient’s tryptase level was 2,000 milligrams per milliliter,” said Platts-Mills, who first identified alpha-gal syndrome in 2007. “The highest I had seen before was 90. This is consistent with fatal anaphylaxis.”

Interestingly, the man’s wife reported that he had suffered several “chigger bites” around his ankles that summer. Platts-Mills explained that in many eastern US regions, these are actually lone star tick larvae, underscoring the need for public awareness.

The CDC estimates that as many as 450,000 Americans may have AGS—though the number is likely higher due to delayed or mild symptoms. Once thought to be confined to the Southeast, the lone star tick’s range now extends as far north as Maine and west to Indiana.

Platts-Mills cautioned clinicians and the public alike: “If patients experience severe abdominal pain or allergic symptoms several hours after eating red meat, they should be tested for alpha-gal sensitization.”

As tick populations expand, this case serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable and evolving risks posed by tick-borne diseases and the importance of vigilance among both providers and patients.