First U.S. Child Case of Bird Flu Confirmed in California

Health officials in the United States confirmed on Friday a case of avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, in a child in California. This marks the first reported instance in a minor in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the child experienced mild symptoms and has been treated with antiviral medication. The child, who attends day care, resides in Alameda County, which includes Oakland and its surrounding communities. Further personal details have not been disclosed by the authorities.

With this case, the total number of reported bird flu cases in the United States this year rises to 55, with 29 occurring in California, as per the data provided by the CDC. Among these cases, a notable exception was an adult in Missouri who contracted the virus without any known contact with an infected animal, leaving health officials puzzled about the transmission pathway. Importantly, there have been no reports of the virus spreading between individuals.

As stated by Canadian officials, a teenager in British Columbia was also recently affected. The H5N1 strain has been prevalent among wild birds, poultry, and other animals in the U.S. over the past few years. The outbreak began affecting U.S. dairy cattle in March, with California emerging as a focal point, recording 402 infected herds since August, which constitutes 65% of the 616 herds confirmed with the virus across 15 states.

Investigations into how the Californian child contracted the virus are ongoing. The state’s health officials had previously mentioned examining potential exposure to wild birds. Tests performed on the child’s household members revealed similar symptoms, but their results were negative for bird flu, though they were positive for other common respiratory viruses.

The Associated Press reported that the health department’s investigation, including contact tracing, has shown no evidence of the virus spreading from the child to other people. In the U.S., no person-to-person transmission has been identified in relation to any of the reported H5N1 bird flu cases.

Health authorities emphasize the importance of surveillance and investigations by local, state, and federal levels. The CDC assesses that the risk to the general public remains low but advises those in contact with infected or potentially infected animals, such as birds and livestock, to take precautions.