H5N1 infection

First child infected with bird flu in the USA

It is mainly employees of dairy and poultry farms who are infected.

(Bild: panyawat - stock.adobe.com)

In the United States, the first infection of a child with the H5N1 bird flu virus has been detected. Several infections have already been recorded among adults, most of them in California.

However, the minor from the state of California had only mild symptoms and was treated with an antiviral drug. All tests on family members were negative, reported the US health authority CDC. They are investigating where the child was infected.

Electron micrograph of an H5N1 virus

(Bild: CDC/Dr. Erskine Palmer (gemeinfrei))

There have been 55 confirmed cases of H5N1 infection in the USA to date. California is predominantly affected. H5N1 avian influenza is currently widespread in wild birds around the world, and many wild mammals are also infected. The virus has also recently led to outbreaks on poultry farms and dairy farms in the USA.

Big mystery: how bad is it really?
However, the extent of the outbreak is largely unclear due to a lack of data. The CDC has recorded cases mainly among employees of dairy and poultry farms, with mild cases. Human-to-human transmission has not yet been detected. The CDC still considers the risk to the general population to be low.