California: bird flu case in a child
21 November, 2024
California has identified a possible bird flu case in a child in Alameda County who was tested for mild upper respiratory symptoms. The child, who has been treated, is recovering at home. They had no known contact with an infected animal. No person-to-person spread of the virus has been detected or is suspected. Due to mild respiratory symptoms, all close family members of the child were tested – and all are negative for bird flu and not suspected of having the virus at all.
Although the genetic data generated were insufficient to classify the virus as a specific genotype, the virus gene segments sequenced most closely resemble those segments from recent B3.13 viruses detected in California in humans, dairy cattle and poultry.
