A child in San Francisco has been diagnosed with H5N1 bird flu, according to the city’s Department of Public Health. The case was detected through routine surveillance and confirmed after laboratory testing revealed the presence of the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sequencing all influenza A viruses across the US to monitor subtypes and prevent potential widespread transmission among humans. Sequencing of the child’s sample confirmed H5N1, but officials say there’s no evidence that the infection spread to anyone else, keeping the risk low for the general public.
There have been 66 reported human cases of bird flu in the US, linked to wild animals, poultry, and dairy cows. The outbreak has led health officials to recommend avoiding raw milk consumption and direct contact with sick or dead birds, especially wild ones that may not show symptoms.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans include red eyes, fatigue, fever, and headaches. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after exposure to sick or dead birds should consult a healthcare provider.
The CDC has issued guidelines to prevent further spread, emphasizing the importance of avoiding direct contact with infected birds and ensuring proper handling of poultry and dairy products.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/10/health/california-child-bird-flu/index.html