A 4-year-old boy in Bengaluru was infected with H9N2 bird flu. According to health experts, he recovered after suffering from fever, abdominal cramps and breathing problems. In this article, we have shared some signs of the new bird flu variant that you should watch out for.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a case of Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in a four-year-old child in West Bengal, India. This is the second human infection with an H9N2 strain of bird flu reported in India since 2019. Speaking to the media, health officials confirmed that the boy has now recovered and has been discharged from the hospital.
Scroll down to learn more about the H9N2 avian influenza virus, its types, causes, and symptoms in humans.
What is the H9N3 virus?
H9N2 bird flu is a branch of the influenza A virus that primarily targets poultry such as chickens and turkeys. It is also capable of affecting humans. In 1992, the first human cases of H9N2 appeared in Hong Kong and since then the variant has been a type of bird flu common in regions such as Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Common symptoms of the H9N2 bird flu virus in humans may be:
- Cough
- Muscle pains
- Digestive problems
- Back pain
- Exhausted
- Fever
How is the H9N5 virus transmitted to humans?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus can spread through “Direct contact with infected birds or their droppings is the main way the H9N2 bird flu variant spreads. “It is less common, but technically possible, for it to be transmitted from person to person, particularly in settings where close contact is prevalent.”
Well, to prevent infection, it is important to practice good personal hygiene, follow proper food safety guidelines, and stay away from sick birds.
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