SAN FRANCISCO — Public well being officers say a San Francisco little one has presumptively examined constructive for H5N1 hen flu.
The San Francisco Division of Well being stated that the kid, who skilled fever and conjunctivitis signs, has since totally recovered and there’s low threat to the general public.
“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,” stated Dr. Grant Colfax, director of well being.
The division’s Public Well being Laboratory carried out the preliminary checks. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention will carry out confirmatory checks.
Earlier than the kid’s constructive check, the California Division of Well being had reported 37 human instances of hen flu as of Dec. 23.
In all however a kind of instances, well being officers sourced publicity to cattle. None of instances required hospitalization.
Regardless of the restricted impacts on people, the state proclaimed a state of emergency final month to reply to outbreaks all through its dairy farms.
Earlier than the hen flu analysis, the kid initially examined constructive for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
Potential signs of hen flu included eye redness, coughing, fatigue, fever and complications.
An preliminary investigation has not decided how the kid contracted the virus and stays ongoing.
Well being officers have warned residents to keep away from contact with sick or lifeless birds and chorus from consuming uncooked milk or unpasteurized dairy merchandise.
