On Tuesday, 11 June, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a 4-year-old child in West Bengal has tested positive for bird flu - specifically the H9N2 virus, indicating a case of human infection. In February this year, the child was hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a local hospital, after complaining of severe respiratory problems, elevated body temperature, and abdominal discomfort.

After receiving medical evaluation and treatment, the patient was discharged from the hospital three days later. The child was diagnosed with influenza B and Adenovirus the following day after being tested at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in the local government hospital.On 3 March, in response to a recurrence of severe respiratory distress, the child was transferred to a different government hospital and placed in the pediatric ICU, where incubation was initiated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a nasal swab was sent to the Kolkata Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory on 5 March, revealing positive findings for influenza A (not further specified) and Rhinovirus. On 26 April, the sample was identified as infected with influenza A(H9N2) through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 

The press release stated that the patient was discharged from the hospital on 1 May, but still needed oxygen support. Information about the patient's vaccination status and the specific antiviral treatment administered was not available at the time of the report. According to the agency's statement, the person had interactions with poultry within their household and nearby surroundings. This represents the second instance of human infection with the avian influenza A(H9N2) virus reported to the WHO from India, with the initial case documented in 2019.

Source - Times Of India