First Case of Bird Flu Detected in a Child in the U.S.
U.S. health officials confirmed on Friday that a child from Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area has tested positive for avian influenza, marking the first known case of bird flu in a child in the United States. The child is exhibiting mild symptoms and is currently receiving antiviral treatment at home, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and California health officials.
A low level of the H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in the child, suggesting that he was likely not infectious at the time of testing. Four days after the initial positive result, the child tested negative for the virus, and all household members have also tested negative. In response to the situation, local health authorities have offered preventive testing and treatment to staff and other children at the child's daycare, which typically serves children aged six weeks to five years.
“It’s natural for people to be concerned, but we want to assure parents, staff, and families that based on the information and data we have, we do not believe the child was contagious,” stated Tomas Aragon, California’s health director. He emphasized that there has not been a documented case of human-to-human transmission of avian influenza in over 15 years.
Public Health Risk Assessment
Avian influenza A (H5N1) first emerged in 1996, but since 2020, there has been a significant increase in outbreaks among birds, with a growing number of mammal species also affected. Notably, in March, infections were reported in several dairy herds across the United States. Despite the recent case, U.S. health officials continue to assess the public health risk posed by the virus as low, although the risk is higher for individuals exposed to livestock in occupational settings.
As of now, there have been 55 reported human cases of avian influenza (subtype H5) in the U.S. in 2024, with 29 of those cases occurring in California. Experts express concern over the rising number of mammal infections, as increased circulation of the virus could potentially lead to mutations that enable it to transmit between humans. The CDC remains vigilant in monitoring the situation and providing guidance to mitigate any potential risks.
