Washington, D.C. (WDNews) — Health officials confirmed the first U.S. pediatric case of bird flu after a child in Alameda County, Calif., tested positive for the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday that the child exhibited mild symptoms, received antiviral treatment, and is now recovering.
The case raises the total number of bird flu infections in the U.S. this year to 55, with California accounting for 29 of them. Most infections have occurred among farmworkers with mild symptoms, though officials are investigating how the child was exposed. California health officials previously suggested potential contact with wild birds.
H5N1 bird flu has spread widely among U.S. wild birds, poultry, and other animals in recent years. Earlier this year, the virus also appeared in U.S. dairy cattle, with California becoming the outbreak’s epicenter. Since August, the state has reported 402 infected herds, making up 65% of all confirmed cases in 15 states.
The CDC emphasized there is no evidence of the virus spreading between people. However, officials remain puzzled by a previous case in Missouri involving an adult with no known exposure to infected animals. Meanwhile, Canadian authorities recently reported a British Columbia teen was hospitalized with bird flu.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation and investigate potential exposure routes to prevent further cases.
