First Bird Flu Case in a Child Reported in California

A child in California has been infected with bird flu. 

It’s the first case of H5N1 influenza in a minor, and the number of human infections in the U.S. this year has now reached 55, according to the CDC. The child had mild symptoms and was treated with flu antiviral medication.

“There were low levels of viral material detected in the initial specimen collected, and follow-up testing of the child several days later was negative for H5 bird flu but was positive for other common respiratory viruses,” the CDC’s news release stated.

All household members where the child lived had symptoms but tested negative for bird flu. Some family members tested positive for the same respiratory viruses that the child also had. An investigation is ongoing by California health officials to determine how the child may have been exposed to H5N1 influenza.

California officials have documented 29 human cases of bird flu this year, mostly linked to exposure to sick cows. Bird flu was first detected in US cattle in March. Since then, cases have been documented in dairy cow herds in 15 states. Other states with confirmed human bird flu cases are Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

Earlier this month, the US Department of Agriculture reported that a backyard non-poultry flock was confirmed to have H5N1 influenza after investigating the deaths of 10 birds that included ducks, geese, and a zebra dove. The deaths of the birds were reported to health officials on November 12.

“It is not known at this time how the avian influenza virus arrived in Hawai‘i, but the state is in the Pacific flyway, which is a migratory path from the continental US,” a news release from the Hawaii Department of Health stated. “Strict quarantine rules have been in place to prevent bird diseases from entering the state via air transport and maritime routes.”

The Hawaii agency emphasized that the risk to the public remains low. Federal officials also expressed the same assessment that the public health risk from H5N1 influenza is low.

California officials cautioned that bird flu may spread from sick cows, birds, or other infected animals to people by:

• Drinking raw milk, or when droplets touch the eyes or nose
• Breathing in dust or droplets that contain the virus
• Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after coming into contact with feces
• Handling sick or dead animals.

SOURCES:

CDC: “CDC confirms H5N1 Bird Flu Infection in a Child in California,” “Current H5N1 Bird Flu Situation in Dairy Cows.”

California Department of Public Health: “Current Bird Flu Situation, Updated November 22, 2024.”

USDA: “USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Backyard Non-Poultry Flock in Hawaii.”

Hawaii Department of Health: “Avian Influenza Confirmed in Backyard Flock of Birds.”

Handling sick or dead animals.