The first case of bird flu in humans has been confirmed in Australia. The Victoria Health Department has said that the infected child contracted the infection while in India a few weeks ago. Bird flu is also called avian influenza, which is a viral infection. It spreads from birds to birds.
Australia has announced its first case of 'bird flu' infection in humans, saying a child contracted the infection while in India a few weeks ago. This information was given in a media news on Wednesday. The child is now healthy. Health officials as said, "Infection has been confirmed in a child in Victoria, which is the first case of bird flu in Australia." The child contracted H5N1 flu while in India and was ill in the month of March this year.
What did the Victoria Health Department say
"A case of bird flu A (H5N1) infection in humans has been reported in Victoria," the Victoria Health Department said on 'X'. There is no sign of the infection spreading in Victoria and the possibility of it spreading to other people is also very low because bird flu does not spread easily between people.
"The child whose infection was recently confirmed had returned to Australia from overseas in March 2024," the department said in another post, without identifying the other country. The baby had a serious infection but is now doing well and has made a full recovery. The case was announced hours after bird flu was identified at a farm in Victoria.
How does bird flu spread to humans?
Bird flu is also called avian influenza, which is a viral infection. It spreads from bird to bird and proves fatal for most birds. Humans can get bird flu if they come in contact with the body fluids of an infected animal, such as spit (saliva), respiratory droplets or poop (faeces).The virus can be inhaled through small dust particles in the animal's habitat or can also be transmitted if humans touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching the body fluids of an infected animal.