A man has died after catching a virus previously only detected in animals, raising concerns about a potential new disease outbreak. The patient was taken to hospital earlier this month after developing a high fever, which led to confusion and breathing problems.

Three state agencies are on alert after a second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in a migratory duck – this time on the island of Maui. This is the first confirmed detection of H5N1 on Maui.

The Northern pintail, or koloa mapu, was found along the Wailea shoreline and submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center-Honolulu Field Station, according to a joint news release today from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

The unidentified man was hospitalized with a high fever, confusion and respiratory distress earlier this month.

The poultry industry has suffered the most, with almost 15 million birds dying or being culled to control the virus in Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada recently dismissed a British Columbia ostrich farm’s bid to stop a cull after avian flu was detected on the farm in December 2024.

Alberta Health Services has confirmed 17 people have been referred for testing and all “symptomatic workers” at Butterfield Acres Petting Farm are being tested after nine cases of Influenza A H5, commonly known as the avian flu,

A Washington state resident died from the H5N5 avian flu, marking a first-known human case, with health officials maintaining a low risk to the public.