CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu infection in California child
Reportedly, the child experienced mild symptoms and has received flu antivirals.
CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu infection in California childLatest revision | Image Credit: © MdBabul - © MdBabul - stock.adobe.com.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed an infection of avian influenza A (H5N1; H5N1 bird flu) in a child in California, marking the first reported avian influenza H5 virus infection among a child in the United States.
The child reportedly experienced mild symptoms and received flu antivirals, consistent with previously infected human cases in the United States.
"There were low levels of viral material detected in the initial specimen collected, and follow-up testing of the child several days later was negative for H5 bird flu but was positive for other common respiratory viruses," stated the CDC in a Friday, November 22, 2024, press release. The CDC added that the child is recovering and an investigation from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) into the child's possible H5N1 exposure source is ongoing.
Detected through the influenza testing and reported through influenza surveillance, this case led all household members to report symptoms, though all test results from members of the household were negative for H5 bird flu, according to the CDC.
The federal agency "continues to closely monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems, particularly in states affected by outbreaks in animals, including California, where widespread outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu have been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry since 2022 and dairy herds since August 2024 in that state," the CDC stated.
Sporadic and limited human infections with avian influenza H5N1 virus, where animal exposure was not identified, are very uncommon, but have occurred, primarily in countries other than the United States.
With this child's infection included, the CDC noted that there have been 55 human cases of H5 bird flu in 2024, with 29 of those cases residing in California.
Though the CDC's risk assessment for the general public is low, those with exposure to infected or potentially infected animals such as birds, cattle, or other animals including livestock, are at a higher risk of infection. Further, CDC recommends avoiding unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals such as wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals like cows.
Reference:
CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu infection in a child in California. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Press release. November 22, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p1122-h5n1-bird-flu.html?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_1_3-DM141264&ACSTrackingLabel=CDC%20Newsroom%3A%20Week%20In%20Review%20-%2011%2F22%2F24&deliveryName=USCDC_1_3-DM141264
