On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the first confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu in a child within the country. The child exhibited mild symptoms and has since recovered.
Earlier in the week, California’s public health department shared details of the case, emphasizing that there was no indication of the virus spreading between individuals. Tests conducted on the child’s family members returned negative results.
The CDC reiterated that no evidence currently suggests person-to-person transmission of the H5N1 virus from the child to others. The agency added that it is continuing to trace contacts as a precautionary measure.
The child was treated with antiviral medication for influenza, and initial testing detected a small amount of the virus in the sample.
Subsequent testing conducted several days later returned negative for H5N1 but confirmed the presence of other common respiratory viruses, according to the agency.
To date, the CDC has not identified any person-to-person transmission associated with the reported cases of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. The agency reassured the public, stating that “the risk for the general public remains low.”
This case brings the total number of human H5 bird flu infections in the U.S. this year to 55, with 29 of those reported in California, the CDC noted.
Most cases in the U.S. have been linked to farm workers exposed to infected poultry or livestock, such as cows.
California health officials have previously cautioned that bird flu viruses have the potential to evolve and spread more easily between humans. As a result, both animal and human infections are being closely monitored.
The CDC and state health departments continue to advise residents to steer clear of any wild birds that appear sick or have died.
{Matzav.com}