avian influenza Archives

4 yr old child in India tests positive for…

12 June 2024
by admin

As human cases of bird flu are being detected in several parts of the country, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed one such case in India.
“This is the second human infection of avian influenza A(H9N2) notified to WHO from India, with the first in 2019. The child has recovered and was discharged from hospital,” the WHO has said in a press release.

The patient is a 4-year-old child residing in West Bengal state

As per the WHO, the child had fever and abdominal pain on January 26.On February 1, the child was admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a local hospital due to the persistence of severe respiratory distress, recurrent high-grade fever and abdominal cramps; the child had developed seizures before that as well.
The next day, the child tested positive for influenza B and adenovirus at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at the local government hospital. On 3 March, with a recurrence of severe respiratory distress, he was referred to another government hospital and was admitted to the pediatric ICU and intubated. On 5 March, a nasopharyngeal swab was sent to the Kolkata Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory and tested positive for influenza A (not sub-typed) and rhinovirus, the WHO has said. ” On 26 April, the sample was sub-typed as influenza A(H9N2) through a real-time polymerase chain reaction. On 1 May, the patient was discharged from the hospital with oxygen support. Information on the vaccination status and details of antiviral treatment were not available at the time of reporting,” the press release adds.

What might have caused this infection?

Exposure to poultry could be a reason for the infection. This is the second human infection of avian influenza A(H9N2) virus infection notified to WHO from India, with the first in 2019.

What is H9N2?

H9N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus that primarily affects birds but can also infect humans. It’s one of the less pathogenic strains, often causing mild to moderate respiratory illness. Despite its lower pathogenicity, H9N2 is of significant concern due to its potential to reassort with other influenza viruses, potentially leading to more virulent strains. Human cases are rare but have been reported, typically involving individuals with close contact with poultry.

World Hand Hygiene Day- How to maintain personal hygiene for eye health

Science & Environment

First Human Bird Flu Death: Can it spread from…

6 June 2024
by admin

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday confirmed the death of a 59 year old man due to bird flu. “On 23 May 2024, the Mexico IHR NFP reported to PAHO/WHO a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus detected in a 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico who was hospitalized in Mexico City and had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals.The case had multiple underlying medical conditions. The case’s relatives reported that the case had already been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms,” WHO has said in a press release.
Now, with the first human death of bird flu a big and threatening question arises: Can bird flu virus be passed on from one infected human to another?
“No evidence, so far”
There has so far been no evidence of person-to-person transmission of bird flu in the case of a man who died from the disease in Mexico, the nation’s health ministry said on Wednesday. The man had several prior health conditions, the ministry said in a statement, and all people who had contact with him have tested negative.
The WHO’s press release says, 17 contacts of the deceased person were identified and monitored at the hospital out of which one reported a runny nose between 28 and 29 April. Samples taken from these hospital contacts between 27 and 29 May tested negative for influenza and SARS-CoV 2, the WHO has said. Twelve additional contacts (seven symptomatic and five asymptomatic) which were identified near the case’s residence were also found to be negative for flu.

The Mexico health ministry has confirmed that bird flu detected does not represent risk to the population. It also says that the source of infection in this case has not been identified.
H5N2 bird flu
In March 2024, a high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N2) outbreak was detected in a backyard poultry farm in the state of Michoacán, which borders the State of Mexico where the case was residing, the WHO has said.

Sleepless Nights? Himalayan Master Reveals Ancient Secrets for Deep Sleep

H5N2 is a subtype of the avian influenza virus, primarily affecting birds, including domestic poultry and wild waterfowl. It is a highly pathogenic strain, meaning it can cause severe disease and high mortality rates in infected bird populations. While H5N2 primarily poses a threat to the poultry industry, causing significant economic losses, it has a low risk of transmission to humans. Effective biosecurity practices and surveillance are essential in managing H5N2 outbreaks.
(With inputs from Reuters, AP)

Tag: <span>avian influenza</span>