Two-Year-Old Girl Dies: First H5N1 Death in Palnadu
A two-year-old girl from Balaiah Nagar, Palnadu district, became the state’s first confirmed case of H5N1. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed the case on March 31 after tests came back positive.
What is H5N1?
H5N1, or avian influenza, is a virus that mainly affects birds but can also infect humans. It causes severe respiratory illness and, in rare cases, can be fatal. The virus spreads through contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
The child was admitted on March 4 with flu-like symptoms and passed away on March 16 despite treatment. The ICMR confirmed H5N1 on March 31.
The child had a habit of eating raw chicken, consuming it two days before falling ill. A poultry farm nearby is under investigation for any potential link to the infection.
Previous Cases
India has reported four human H5N1 cases in the last five years, with previous cases in Maharashtra, Haryana, and West Bengal.
Health Advisory
Residents are advised to seek medical attention for flu symptoms, properly cook poultry, and avoid contact with sick or dead birds.
Isolation wards have been set up at medical colleges, and health officers are following strict protocols for severe flu cases. Surveillance continues across the district.
The government is working closely with the Animal Husbandry Department to monitor poultry farms, ensuring public safety while emphasizing that there’s no need to panic.