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NEW DELHI: Marking one of the second such cases in the country of H9N2 virus, a new human case of bird flu in India has been confirmed by The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday. The case belongs to a four-year-old child in West Bengal who is currently suffering from severe respiratory issues and getting treatment.
The first such case was recorded in 2019 while, in July 2021, India reported its first bird flu fatality. An 11-year-old infected boy died in AIIMS while getting treatment, he was infected with Avian influenza H5N8 virus
In another similar case a two-and-a-half-year-old girl tested positive for H5N1 bird flu on June 7 and was admitted to an intensive care unit in Australia after traveling to India.
While India has faced multiple outbreaks of avian influenza, particularly the H5N8 strain, over the past 18 years, these have predominantly affected poultry.
Bird flu is caused by avian influenza Type A viruses. According to the WHO, these viruses primarily spread among animals but can also infect humans. The infection transmits through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Depending on the host, influenza A viruses are classified as avian, swine, or other types of animal influenza viruses.
In humans, avian influenza can cause mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe diseases. The Bird flu or avian influenza virus can spread to humans through contact with infected birds’ droppings, saliva, or secretions. According to the CDC, symptoms in humans can range from mild to severe, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, fatigue, headaches, conjunctivitis, and difficulty breathing.
Other symptoms include conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal issues, encephalitis, and encephalopathy. The WHO warns that avian influenza virus infection can be fatal.
Diagnosis of avian influenza in humans requires laboratory tests, and the WHO regularly updates technical guidance protocols for detecting zoonotic influenza using molecular methods.
