San Francisco health officials say presumptive bird flu case found in child

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San Francisco health officials said Friday that they are looking into a possible case of H5N1 avian flu that was discovered in a city youngster.

Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, and fever were the child’s symptoms, according to the city’s Department of Public Health (SFDPH). The child has since fully healed and did not require hospitalization.

According to officials, the child tested positive for influenza A and negative for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV based on symptoms. After then, the child’s specimen proved positive for H5N1.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will confirm with more tests. According to SFDPH, all close contacts are being looked into.

Health officials stated in a statement on Friday that there is no proof that the avian flu is spread from person to person.

The city’s director of health, Dr. Grant Colfax, stated, “I want to reassure 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.” “We will continue to investigate this presumptive case.”

Colfax advised people to stay away from sick or dead birds, especially poultry and wild birds. Authorities are warning consumers to stay away from raw milk and raw milk products like raw cheese since the virus is growing among dairy animals.

As of Friday, the CDC reported that since last year, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the United States, including one fatality linked to an H5N1 bird flu infection in Louisiana.

Residents of the city are being advised to call 311 if they come across dead birds.

Tim Fang works for CBS Bay Area as a digital producer. Tim, a resident of the Bay Area, joined the digital staff in 2006 and has been with the CBS Bay Area newsroom for over 20 years.