A child has tested positive in Alameda County, California bird fluDespite having no direct contact with infected animals, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). State officials announced that the child showed mild upper respiratory symptoms, has been treated and is recovering at home.

Although the source of the infection is unclear, health officials are investigating whether the child may have come in contact with wild birds. Initial testing revealed low levels of the virus, suggesting the child was not infectious to others. Tests conducted four days later were negative for bird flu but positive for other respiratory viruses, which was likely the cause of the child’s symptoms. Test samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation.

State officials stressed that the risk to public health is minimal. “We understand that people may be concerned, but based on the information we have, we do not believe the child was infectious,” said CDPH Director Dr. Tomas Aragon. He said there has been no documented human-to-human spread of bird flu globally for more than 15 years.

Bird flu cases are increasing in America

The United States has recorded 53 cases of human bird flu this year, most of which are linked to contact with infected poultry or dairy cows. Excluding the Alameda County child, California leads the nation with 27 confirmed cases. Other states reporting human infections include Washington, Colorado and Oregon, which reported its first case last week.

Its outbreak has spread to other animals also. While bird flu has mainly affected poultry since 2022, it began spreading to dairy cows in March and was first detected in pigs last month.

The possibility of human-to-human transmission remains a major concern among public health experts, although no such cases have been confirmed in the US. For example, another person in Missouri recently tested positive for bird flu after sharing a home with an infected person. However, the CDC clarified that the simultaneous onset of symptoms in both individuals suggests a common exposure rather than spread from one person to another.

Globally, cases of bird flu in humans Strict monitoring is also being maintained. Earlier this month, Canadian health officials reported that a teenager in British Columbia was hospitalized in critical condition with suspected bird flu. The teen had no known contact with infected animals, becoming the first human case of the virus in both the province and Canada.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, confirmed that the H5 virus had been detected during initial testing. The samples have been sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for further analysis. So far, testing of people who came into contact with the teen has not revealed additional infections.

The CDC has assured the public that the immediate risk from H5N1 bird flu is low, especially for people who have not had direct contact with infected animals. However, experts warn that the possibility of human-to-human transmission requires vigilance.

“We should be very concerned at this point,” Dr. James Lawler, co-director of the University of Nebraska’s Global Center for Health Security, said in an interview with The New York Times. While he advised against panic, Dr. Lawler stressed the need for increased resources to better understand and control the outbreak.

Since March, more than 549 dairy herds in 15 states have been affected by bird flu. Additionally, the virus is spreading among wild and domestic birds across the country.

Symptoms and prevention

Symptoms of Bird Flu In humans, it can cause mild respiratory problems to serious complications. State officials urge people to be alert for virus symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing, especially if they have had contact with birds or other animals potentially infected with avian influenza .

Preventive measures include avoiding direct contact with birds, washing hands frequently, and reporting sick or dead birds to local authorities. Public health agencies are also advising healthcare providers to remain alert to possible cases, especially among people who have come in contact with infected animals.

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