The WHO stated that the child had been exposed to poultry at home and in the surrounding area, with no other family members or contacts reporting respiratory symptoms.
Digital Desk: The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a four-year-old child in West Bengal, India, contracted the H9N2 bird flu virus. The child was admitted to a local hospital's pediatric intensive care unit in February due to severe respiratory issues, high fever, and abdominal cramps, and was discharged three months later after receiving diagnosis and treatment.
The WHO stated that the child had been exposed to poultry at home and in the surrounding area, with no other family members or contacts reporting respiratory symptoms. Details regarding the child's vaccination status and antiviral treatment were unavailable at the reporting time. This case marks the second instance of human infection with the H9N2 strain of bird flu in India, following the first reported case in 2019. While H9N2 typically results in mild illness, the WHO cautioned that sporadic human cases may persist due to the virus's prevalence in poultry across various regions.
The H9N2 strain, a subtype of the avian influenza virus, is commonly found in birds and occasionally infects humans, including children, according to Dr. Saibal Chakravorty, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Metro Hospital, Noida. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected animals or indirect exposure to contaminated environments. Symptoms of H9N2 resemble those of other viral infections, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and conjunctivitis.
In severe cases, patients may experience difficulty breathing and pneumonia, particularly individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions. Compared to more virulent strains like H5N1 and H7N9, H9N2 generally causes milder illness in humans, although continuous monitoring is necessary due to its global distribution and potential for human infection.
Treatment for H9N2 bird flu includes antiviral medications such as zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which are particularly effective when administered early in the illness. Supportive care, including rest, hydration, and management of fever and respiratory symptoms, is also crucial. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required for intensive care and respiratory support to effectively manage the infection. Dr. Chakravorty emphasized the importance of continuous surveillance and preventive measures due to H9N2's ability to spread and infect individuals in close contact with birds.
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