San Francisco Reports First Presumptive Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in a Child
January 10, 2025
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) has announced a presumptive case of H5N1 bird flu in a local resident, marking a important development in the ongoing monitoring of avian influenza. The case involves a child who exhibited symptoms of fever and conjunctivitis but did not require hospitalization and has since fully recovered.
According to the SFDPH, the risk to the general public remains low, as there is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Health, emphasized this point, stating, “I want to assure everyone in our city that the risk to the general public is low, and there is no current evidence that the virus can be transmitted between people.”
The child initially tested positive for influenza A during routine testing for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.As part of enhanced surveillance efforts, the specimen was further analyzed at the SFDPH Public Health Laboratory, were it tested positive for H5N1. Confirmatory testing is now underway at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How Did the Child Contract H5N1?
The source of the child’s infection remains unclear. SFDPH is actively investigating the case, including assessing all close contacts. While human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, the department is urging residents to take precautions.
“We are continuing to investigate this presumptive case,and I am urging all San Franciscans to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds,especially wild birds and poultry,” Dr.Colfax added.
Precautions and Recommendations
The SFDPH has issued several recommendations to minimize the risk of exposure:
- Avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, especially wild birds and poultry. Wild birds can carry the virus even if they appear healthy.
- Report dead birds by contacting 311.
- avoid consuming raw milk or raw milk products,including raw cheese.The department strongly advises against unpasteurized dairy products, as bird flu has been detected in U.S. dairy cows.
Pasteurized milk and dairy products, however, are safe to consume. Pasteurization, a process that heats milk to specific temperatures, effectively kills viruses like H5N1 and harmful bacteria found in raw milk.
Symptoms and Current Trends
Symptoms of bird flu in humans include eye redness,coughing,fatigue,fever,and headaches. While cases in California have been mild so far, with no hospitalizations reported, individuals experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.
Key Takeaways
| Key Information | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Case Status | Presumptive H5N1 bird flu in a San Francisco child |
| Symptoms | Fever, conjunctivitis; no hospitalization required |
| Risk Level | Low; no evidence of person-to-person transmission |
| Precautions | Avoid sick/dead birds, raw milk products; report dead birds via 311 |
| Testing | Initial testing at SFDPH Lab; confirmatory testing at CDC |
| Current Trends | Mild cases in California; no hospitalizations reported |
what’s Next?
The SFDPH is working closely with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health to monitor the situation. Enhanced surveillance efforts will continue to ensure early detection and response to any potential outbreaks.
for more information, visit the California Department of Public Health and CDC websites.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
As the investigation unfolds, the SFDPH urges residents to remain vigilant and follow recommended precautions. By staying informed and taking simple steps to reduce exposure, San Franciscans can help protect themselves and their community.
“we will continue to keep the public updated as we learn more,” dr. Colfax assured.For media inquiries, contact the SFDPH Media Desk at [email protected].
Understanding the San Francisco H5N1 Bird Flu Case: An Expert interview
January 10, 2025
The San Francisco Department of public Health (SFDPH) recently reported a presumptive case of H5N1 bird flu in a child, marking a significant advancement in the ongoing monitoring of avian influenza.The child exhibited mild symptoms, including fever and conjunctivitis, and has since recovered. To better understand the implications of this case, we sat down with Dr. Emily Carter, an infectious disease specialist with over 15 years of experience in virology and public health. Dr. Carter provides insights into the origins of the infection, current precautions, and what this means for public health moving forward.
How Did the child Contract H5N1?
Senior Editor: Dr.Carter, thank you for joining us. Let’s start with the big question: How might this child have contracted H5N1?
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me. the source of the infection is still under investigation, but we know that H5N1 primarily spreads thru contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. given that the child did not require hospitalization, it’s likely that the exposure was minimal. The SFDPH is currently assessing close contacts and potential sources, such as wild birds or poultry, which are known carriers of the virus. It’s also worth noting that human infections are rare, but they can occur when there’s direct contact with infected animals or their secretions.
Precautions and Recommendations
Senior Editor: The SFDPH has issued several recommendations to minimize exposure. Can you elaborate on why these precautions are critically important?
Dr. emily Carter: Absolutely.The precautions are critical because H5N1 is a highly pathogenic virus that can cause severe illness in humans, even though this case was mild. Avoiding direct contact with sick or dead birds is essential as wild birds and poultry can carry the virus without showing symptoms. Reporting dead birds to local authorities helps track potential outbreaks.Additionally, avoiding raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products is crucial, as H5N1 has been detected in U.S.dairy cows. Pasteurization effectively kills the virus, making pasteurized products safe to consume.
Symptoms and Current Trends
Senior Editor: What symptoms should peopel be aware of, and how concerning are the current trends in California?
Dr. Emily Carter: Symptoms of H5N1 in humans include fever, coughing, fatigue, eye redness, and headaches. In this case, the child experienced fever and conjunctivitis but recovered without hospitalization. So far, cases in California have been mild, with no hospitalizations reported. However, anyone experiencing these symptoms, especially if they’ve had contact with birds or othre animals, should seek medical attention. The low risk of person-to-person transmission is reassuring, but continued vigilance is necessary to prevent potential outbreaks.
What’s Next for Public Health?
Senior Editor: What steps are being taken to monitor and respond to this situation?
Dr. emily Carter: The SFDPH is working closely with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health to enhance surveillance efforts. Confirmatory testing is underway at the CDC, and ongoing monitoring will help detect any additional cases early. Public health agencies are also educating the public about precautions and encouraging reporting of dead birds. These measures are vital to ensuring that any potential spread is contained quickly.
Key Takeaways
Senior Editor: what are the key takeaways for our readers?
Dr. Emily Carter: The key message is that while this case is concerning, the risk to the general public remains low. There’s no evidence of person-to-person transmission,and the precautions recommended by the SFDPH—avoiding sick birds,reporting dead birds,and avoiding raw milk—are effective ways to reduce risk. Staying informed and following public health guidance will help protect individuals and the community as a whole.
Senior Editor: Thank you,Dr. Carter, for your valuable insights. We’ll continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health and CDC websites.
