In a recent development, a four-year-old child from West Bengal’s Malda district has become India’s second case of bird flu among humans. The young girl, who was initially recovering from a respiratory infection, was taken to a local paediatrician in Kaliachak on January 26 by her parents. Subsequently, she was admitted to a Malda hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit on February 1 after experiencing respiratory distress, high-grade fever, and intense stomach cramps.

After testing positive for the influenza B virus and adenovirus, the child spent the entire month in recovery before being discharged. Unfortunately, her symptoms resurfaced shortly after being discharged, leading to her referral to Kolkata’s Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital for respiratory distress. It was during this period that her nasal swab tested positive for influenza A virus and rhinovirus. Further testing at Pune’s National Institute of Virology revealed the presence of the avian flu virus, specifically the H9N2 subtype of influenza A virus.

Avian influenza, commonly found in poultry and birds, has sporadically affected humans in rare instances. This recent case marks only the second reported instance in India, with the first being recorded in 2019 when a 17-month-old boy tested positive in Melghat, Maharashtra. Notably, neither of these cases has resulted in human-to-human transmission of the virus.

While concerns about a potential outbreak linger, experts consulted by Scroll emphasized that the risk of avian flu transmission in India remains low unless there is confirmed human-to-human spread of the virus. The source of infection in these cases is still under investigation, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and monitoring to prevent any potential escalation of the situation.