A child in California has tested positive for bird flu, despite having no known contact with infected animals, state officials reported Tuesday. "California has identified a possible bird flu case in a child in Alameda County who was tested for mild upper respiratory symptoms. The child, who has been treated, is recovering at home," the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said in a news release.
While the patient had no known contact with an infected animal, health officials are investigating a possible exposure to wild birds , the CDPH added. Importantly, "the positive test showed a low-level detection of the virus, indicating the child was not likely infectious to others," they noted. "Repeat bird flu testing on the child four days later was negative, and additional testing shows the child was also positive for respiratory viruses that could be the cause of their cold and flu symptoms.
The test specimens are being sent to CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] for confirmatory testing.
" Even as the case was reported, state officials stressed the public health risk remained low. "It's natural for people to be concerned, and we want to reinforce for parents, caregivers and families that based on the information and data we have, we don't think the child was infectious—and no human-to-human spread of bird flu has been documented in any country for more than 15 years," said CDPH Director Dr. Tomás Aragón.
So far this year, 53 people have been conf.