Tengrinews.kz – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed the first case of avian influenza (H5N1) in a child, according to Voice of America.
The infected child, located in California, exhibited mild symptoms and was treated with antiviral medications. The CDC reported that the patient is currently recovering. Initial tests detected low levels of the virus, but follow-up testing showed no presence of H5N1, instead identifying other common respiratory viruses.
California’s Department of Health tested family members of the infected child, all of whom tested negative for H5N1. However, similar to the child, some individuals tested positive for other respiratory illnesses.
"Contact tracing is ongoing, but there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1 from the infected child," the CDC stated.
The agency emphasized that no human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has been reported in the United States to date.
Including this case, the US has recorded 55 instances of bird flu infections this year, with 29 reported in California. While risks to the general population remain low, the CDC noted that individuals who handle infected or potentially infected animals—such as birds and livestock—are at greater risk.
In late October, a pig on a domestic farm in Oregon tested positive for H5N1, marking the first known case of the virus in swine within the United States. Authorities continue to monitor these developments to assess any potential risks to public health.
