In the United States, for the first time, a child has been infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The minor from California is experiencing mild symptoms and has been treated with antiviral medication.

All family members tested negative, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported, and investigations are underway to determine where the child may have been infected. There have been 55 confirmed cases of H5N1 infection in the US to date, most of them in California.

The H5N1 avian influenza virus is now widespread in wild birds worldwide. Many wild mammals are also infected. In addition, the virus has recently caused outbreaks on poultry and dairy farms in the USA.

CDC has first identified cases of avian influenza among dairy and poultry farm workers. Human-to-human transmission of the virus is not yet known. CDC continues to consider the risk to the general population to be low.