The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a human case of bird flu in West Bengal, India. A four-year-old boy, exposed to infected poultry, was diagnosed with bird flu and admitted to a local hospital’s pediatric ICU. The child suffered severe respiratory issues, abdominal cramps, and high fever, but recovered after three months.
Second human case in India
This is the second reported case of H9N2 bird flu in India, with the first detected in 2019. According to the WHO, human infections of avian influenza A (H9N2) typically result from exposure to contaminated environments or infected poultry and usually cause mild illness. However, such infections must be reported to the WHO due to their potential public health impact.
Global context and precautionary measures
In related developments, Australia has implemented measures to curb the spread of avian influenza, including limiting egg purchases. The Australian Agriculture Minister assured the public that contaminated eggs are not entering the supply chain. This follows a recent fatality in Mexico due to the H5N2 bird flu strain, a variant not previously confirmed in humans.
As of now, the Indian health ministry has not issued a response. The WHO has not disclosed details about the antiviral treatment or vaccination status of the affected child.