12 Jun 2024 • The second human case of the avian influenza A (H9N2) virus has been confirmed in West Bengal, India, by the World Health Organization (WHO). This time it is a 4-year-old child with a poultry exposure history who has now recovered and been discharged.

• On January 26, 2024, the child experienced fever and abdominal pain. After three days, he developed a seizure.

• On February 1, 2024, the child was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) due to severe respiratory distress, recurrent high-grade fever, and abdominal cramps and was diagnosed with post-infectious bronchiolitis caused by viral pneumonia.

• The next day, the child tested positive for influenza B and adenovirus and was discharged on February 28.

• On March 3, 2024, the child was again admitted to the PICU due to a recurrence of symptoms.

• On March 5, the nasopharyngeal swab test revealed an influenza A and rhinovirus infection. Following this, the same sample sent to the National Influenza Center confirmed the sub-type as influenza A (H9N2) on April 26.

The child was discharged on May 1 with oxygen support, and on May 22, the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) for India reported this case to WHO.

Source:WHO | Read full story