Bird flu strikes Bengal as 4-year-old hospitalized; WHO concerned

Bengal has reported a case of bird flu. The H9N2 virus was detected in a 4-year-old child who had to be hospitalized in critical condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed worry over the incident, highlighting its significance.

The child was admitted to the hospital in February, experiencing severe breathing difficulties, fever, and stomach pain. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of the bird flu virus. Preliminary investigations suggest a possible link to a poultry farm at the child's residence, indicating a source of infection.

Despite receiving treatment for about three months, the child eventually recovered. Notably, no other family member exhibited any symptoms of the disease, raising questions about its transmission dynamics.

This marks the second instance of human infection with the H9N2 bird flu virus in India, the first being reported in 2019. The recurrence of such cases after five years has sparked nationwide concern, especially considering recent bird flu-related deaths globally.

Earlier this month, Mexico recorded its first bird flu fatality, adding to global health anxieties. A 59-year-old man succumbed to the virus after experiencing fever, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and vomiting, underscoring the severity of the disease.