In a concerning development, a human case of bird flu has been reported in India, the second in five years. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the case on Tuesday, stating that a four-year-old child in West Bengal was infected with the H9N2 virus.
The child, who had severe respiratory issues, a high fever, and abdominal cramps, was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a local hospital. The child has since recovered and was discharged from the hospital after three months.
This is the second reported case of human H9N2 bird flu infection in India. The first case was reported in 2019. The virus is typically found in birds but can infect humans who come into close contact with infected poultry.
The WHO has stated that most human cases of H9N2 infection are mild, but the organization is continuing to monitor the situation. The Indian health ministry has not yet commented on the case.
