1st human known to be infected with H5N5 strain of bird flu dies

The first human to have ever been infected with the H5N5 strain of bird flu has died, Washington state health officials confirmed late Friday.

The person was an older adult with underlying health conditions, the Washington State Department of Health said in a news release.

The person had a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds. No other details were released out of respect of the family's privacy, health officials said.

There are various types of bird flu strains. The 70 human cases reported in the United States over the past year and a half involved the strain known as H5N1

The H5N5 strain has been previously reported in animals, but never before in humans, according to the health department.

The risk to the public remains low, health officials said. No other people involved have