India, Nov. 19 -- A Washington state man has been infected with a strain of bird flu that has previously only been detected in animals, and never in humans. Earlier this month, the "severely ill" man was hospitalized with a high fever, confusion and respiratory distress, according to the New York Post. He was confirmed to have H5N5, a subtype of avian influenza carried by wild birds like ducks and geese.

The Washington State Department of Health said the virus "has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans," adding that the patient is "older" and has "underlying health conditions." The agency also revealed that he has a "mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry" at his home in Grays Harbor County, on the southwest Pa...