A 4-year-old boy in West Bengal, eastern India has been confirmed with H9N2 bird flu by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the second case in the country since 2019. The child was initially treated for influenza B and adenovirus at a local hospital and discharged on February 28, but was readmitted a week later due to recurrent severe respiratory failure. Further testing revealed that he was positive for influenza A H9N2.
Despite being diagnosed with avian flu and receiving treatment, the boy still required oxygen support and had contact with poultry at home and in the surrounding area. There have been no reports of respiratory symptoms among family members or close contacts. WHO has noted that this is the second human case of H9N2 bird flu in India since 2019, which coincides with an increase in cases of avian flu across the region from 2015 to 2023, with two deaths. The agency warns that human cases may continue to occur sporadically due to the widespread circulation of the virus.
Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for avian flu in humans, and the death rate for avian flu strains can be as high as 50%, compared to 1-4% for normal flu. It is crucial to monitor and prevent the spread of avian flu to reduce the risk of further cases and fatalities.
