A Two-Year-Old Girl in Andhra Pradesh Dies of H5N1 Bird Flu, Raising Concerns of Wider Transmission
A two-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh has become the first reported human case and fatality of H5N1 bird flu in the country since 2021, sparking international concern about the disease’s potential for wider transmission. The child, who lived in Baliah Nagar, Narasaopet town, Palnadu district, died on March 16 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Mangalagiri.
According to health officials, the girl consumed a small piece of raw chicken on February 26, which is believed to have been the likely source of infection. Family members reported that the girl occasionally ate raw chicken, a practice that significantly increases the risk of transmission. The child developed fever and other symptoms on February 28 and was initially admitted to a local hospital before being transferred to AIIMS Mangalagiri on March 4 due to worsening symptoms.
An investigation by the state health department revealed that the child’s parents and other family members have tested negative for the virus, indicating that the pathogen did not jump to or from another human being. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that there have been no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission of bird flu.
Extensive surveillance has been conducted in the region, and no other cases of bird flu have been reported among poultry. The health department has deployed rapid response teams to conduct fever surveys in and around the locality where the girl lived, with no abnormal cases identified so far.
The Union ministry of health and family welfare has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to Andhra Pradesh to investigate and assist the state following the child’s death. Officials from the ministry have stated that the risk of any other epidemiologically-linked case being reported is assessed to be low, but due to abundance of caution, public health measures have been initiated to monitor the situation.
The case has raised concerns about the virus’s potential to adapt and spread to new species, particularly dairy cattle. Experts are tracking the virus closely, with some noting that the recent expansion into new species signals the virus’s adaptive capabilities. While most recent human cases have been mild, the possibility of human-to-cat transmission and documented human-to-cat spread have added to the concern.
Health officials are advising the public to cook poultry and eggs thoroughly, avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, and practice good hand hygiene, especially after handling raw poultry products. The Andhra Pradesh health department has urged residents to report unusual bird deaths and seek immediate medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms after contact with birds or poultry.
As the global community continues to monitor the situation, health experts are emphasizing the importance of thorough cooking, surveillance, and public awareness to prevent the spread of the disease. With no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission, officials believe the risk of further transmission is low, but caution is being taken to mitigate any potential risks.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2yearold-girl-dies-due-to-bird-flu-in-andhra-101743620685706.html
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Publish Date: 2025-04-03 07:40:00
