In California (United States), a child recently tested positive for a strain of bird flu. According to CNN, which relays information from the California Department of Public Health, we do not yet know the origin of the infection, but the authorities hypothesize exposure to wild birds.
The child initially tested positive with low levels of the virus, then tested negative four days later. He also tested positive for other respiratory viruses that could have contributed to cold and flu symptoms. Dr. Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health and head of state public health, reassured the population in a press release: “We do not believe that the child was contagious – and no spread Human-to-human spread of avian influenza has not been documented in any country for more than 15 years. »
Rampant progression of the virus since 2022
However, at least 46 cases of human infection with the H5 virus have been confirmed in the United States, mostly affecting agricultural workers. In addition, a Canadian teenager has been hospitalized in critical condition due to the virus since early November. Symptoms of bird flu include red or runny eyes, coughing fits, sore throat, diarrhea and vomiting.
According to NBC News, members of the Californian child’s family are also suffering from the same common respiratory viruses, treated with preventive medications. They all tested negative. Individuals who potentially had contact with him were informed and offered preventative treatments. However, although avian flu has spread exponentially in the United States since 2022, it has only affected people exposed to birds.
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