Health authorities have confirmed that a child in California has tested positive for bird flu, marking the first incidence of this virus in a minor in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the child exhibited mild symptoms, has been treated with antiviral medication, and is currently on the path to recovery. Details regarding the child’s identity have not been disclosed, but it is known that they reside in Alameda County, an area that encompasses Oakland, and attend a daycare program.

This new case contributes to a total of 55 reported bird flu infections across the U.S. so far this year, with California accounting for 29 of these cases. The majority of those infected have been farmworkers who have shown mild symptoms.
An unusual case involves an adult from Missouri who had no known exposure to infected animals and did not work on a farm. The source of their infection remains unclear, with health officials indicating that there is no evidence to suggest the virus is spreading from person to person.
Additionally, a teenager from British Columbia has also been hospitalized due to bird flu, as confirmed by Canadian health officials.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has been increasingly prevalent across the U.S., especially among wild birds, poultry, and various other animals in recent years. It began affecting dairy cattle in the U.S. around March, with California becoming the focal point of this outbreak. Since August, there have been reports of 402 infected herds in California, which constitutes approximately 65% of the total 616 herds reported across 15 states.

Officials are currently investigating the mode of infection for the child, with California health authorities indicating that they are considering a potential exposure to wild birds. At this time, there is no evidence suggesting that the virus has transmitted from the child to any other individuals.
Family members living in the child’s household reported exhibiting similar symptoms; however, their bird flu test results returned negative. Health experts have pointed out that both the child and their household members have tested positive for other common respiratory viruses, indicating that the situation is being managed carefully.