GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, Wash. — A Grays Harbor County resident died from complications of H5N5 avian influenza Friday , according to the Washington state Department of Health.

The patient, a 75-year-old woman with underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion and respiratory distress before being hospitalized in early November. It was the first recorded infection of this variant in a person globally, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

DOH says the risk to the public remains low and no other people have tested positive for avian influenza. People who had close contact with the person will be monitored for symptoms to ensure human-to-human spread has not occurred. There is no current evidence of the virus spreading between people.

The Grays Harbor County residen

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