Influenza Type A with the subtype H9N2 - A child is critically ill with avian flu in India.
A four-year-old child in India has tested positive for bird flu, also known as Influenza A(H9N2), according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the second case of this type of infection in the country, with the first being reported back in 2019.
The child presented with symptoms like fever, breathing difficulties, and stomach pain in late January and was taken to see a pediatrician. After being admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital for treatment, they were discharged after four weeks. However, a few days later, the child had to be readmitted to another hospital where they needed to be intubated. A sample was collected from this hospital, and Influenza A(H9N2) was subsequently confirmed. The child was then discharged from the hospital on May 1st, still requiring oxygen support.
Though it's rare for bird flu to spread from person to person, it's often transmitted through infected chickens coming into contact with wild animals. In this instance, no other individuals in the child's surrounding environment displayed any signs of infection.
While bird flu infections usually resolve themselves without any major problems, there's concern that these particular viruses could mutate to make it easier for them to be transmitted from person to person. To prepare for such an eventuality, vaccine candidates have been developed that can potentially evolve into easily-accessible means of prevention in the case of a widespread pandemic.
The WHO encourages all nations to remain vigilant and thoroughly investigate any clusters of diseases. Fortunately, they currently assess the risk to the general population from this virus as low.
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- In contrast, Mexico reported no cases of Influenza A(H9N2) in its last surveillance report released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- However, the global health community constantly monitors outbreaks of diseases in various parts of the world, such as avian flu in India and swine flu in Mexico.
- Scientists are also studying the impact of climate change on disease ecology, with a focus on how warmer temperatures may influence the geographical distribution of animal hosts, potentially leading to new zoonotic diseases.
- A pediatrician in Mexico recently emphasized the importance of immunizing children against common preventable diseases, including influenza and measles, to protect them from serious complications.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for the inclusion of animal health in global public health strategies, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human and animal health, and the potential implications for global health security.
