California Reports Potential Bird Flu in Child with No Known Animal Contacts

The California Department of Health has reported a possible bird flu case in a child with no known contact with an infected animal.

RT’s Three Key Takeaways

1. Isolated Bird Flu Detection: A child in Alameda County tested positive for bird flu with no known animal contact, but subsequent tests were negative, and mild symptoms were attributed to other respiratory viruses.
2. Low Transmission Risk: Health officials stated the low-level detection indicated the child was unlikely infectious, and no human-to-human bird flu transmission has been documented for over 15 years.
3. Ongoing Investigation: The CDPH, in collaboration with local and federal agencies, is investigating potential exposure to wild birds and has sent specimens to the CDC for confirmation.

The California Department of Health has reported a possible bird flu case in a child with no known contact with an infected animal.

The Alameda County child has mild upper respiratory symptoms and is recovering at home, according to CDH.

The agency says human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, and no person-to-person spread has been detected in California or the United States.

CDH says public health experts are investigating a possible exposure to wild birds. 

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with local public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the cause of the initial positive test in the child.

According to CDH, the positive test showed a low-level detection of the virus, indicating the child was not likely infectious to others. 

Repeat bird flu testing on the child four days later was negative, and additional testing shows the child was also positive for respiratory viruses that could be the cause of their cold and flu symptoms. 

The test specimens are being sent to CDC for confirmatory testing. 

“It’s natural for people to be concerned, and we want to reinforce for parents, caregivers and families that based on the information and data we have, we don’t think the child was infectious – and no human-to-human spread of bird flu has been documented in any country for more than 15 years,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón.