WHO Confirms Human Case Of Bird Flu In India (image: Pixabay)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed a human case of Bird flu in India. The human infection with the H9N2 Bird Flu was detected in a four-year-child in West Bengal.

The child got admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a local hospital due to the severe respiratory issues, high fever, and abdominal cramps, WHO said. The patient , then got discharge after three months of diagnosis and treatment.

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As per the evaluation, WHO reports that exposure to poultry at home and surroundings could have been the reasons for the infection. Besides, no respiratory illness or symptoms were observed among family members and other close contacts, the agency stressed.

Adding further, the WHO said that information regarding child’s vaccination status and details of antiviral treatment were not available at the time of reporting. Even though the H9N2 generally cause mild illness, the health agency adds that sporadic human cases could occur as this virus is one of the most prevalent virus observed among poultry in different regions.

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H9N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus that majorly affect birds but can infect humans also. Though it is one of the lower pathogenic strains, H9N2 is of significance due to its potential realign with other influenza viruses and potentially result in more toxic strains.

“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 agency said in a press release.

However, no immediate response from Indian health ministry has been located so far.