ICMR Reveals Bird Flu and Comorbidities Behind Narasaraopet Infant's Death

A two-year-old girl from Narasaraopet, Andhra Pradesh, has recently died from H5N1 bird flu. This is likely the first human case and fatality from the virus in India since 2021.

The incident has heightened global concern about the virus’s potential to spread, given its high fatality rate of around 50% despite being rare in humans.

Investigators found that she had eaten a small piece of raw chicken on February 26, which is suspected to be the source of the infection. Her family noted she occasionally consumed raw chicken, a known risk factor for transmission.

She began showing symptoms like fever on February 28 and was initially treated at a local hospital. Her condition worsened, and she was transferred to AIIMS on March 4 with severe fever, breathing issues, and diarrhea.

The child is from Baliah Nagar in Narasaraopet, Palnadu district, passed away on March 16 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Mangalagiri. The National Institute of Virology in Pune confirmed the infection on March 24, with further verification from the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting on Friday with a delegation from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which visited the state to investigate the recent death of a young girl in Narasaraopet suspected to have been linked to H5N1 bird flu.

Following their field visit, the ICMR team met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat to discuss their findings. While traces of the H5N1 virus were detected in the girl's samples, the team clarified that multiple health factors contributed to her death.

They cited the consumption of undercooked meat, weakened immunity due to her age, the presence of leptospirosis (a disease transmitted through rat urine), and poor hygiene conditions as contributing causes.

The ICMR team reassured the Chief Minister that there was no immediate threat to public health. Eight survey teams examined the area around the girl's residence and found no signs of bird flu. Samples collected from her family and local residents all tested negative.

In response, the Chief Minister instructed the Health Department to take preventive measures. Officials confirmed that antiviral medications are being kept in stock as a precaution.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)