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A man has died after contracting a virus previously only seen in animals. The resident of Washington state contracted a rare strain of bird flu known as H5N5, officials said.

The patient was rushed to hospital earlier this month with a high fever, leading to confusion and breathing difficulties. The Washington State Department of Health described the patient as being "older" and having "underlying health conditions."

They also revealed that the man kept a "mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds" in Grays Harbour County. Officials found traces of avian influenza in the birds, suggesting the patient contracted it at home from his own flock.

The department said in a statement it is "the first recorded infection with this variant in

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