First U.S. Child Tests Positive for Bird Flu  

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a child infected with bird flu in Alameda County, California. This is the first reported bird flu virus infection in a child in the United States and follows a reported case in a teen in Canada.   

Consistent with previously identified U.S. human cases, the child reportedly experienced mild symptoms, received flu antivirals, and is recovering at home. Meanwhile, CNN reported the Canadian teen has been hospitalized in critical condition with the virus since early November. It is unknown how the Canadian teen and the California youth caught the bird flu virus, and investigation into the cases is ongoing by health officials.  

For the U.S. child, initial testing showed low levels of bird flu viral material detected, and follow-up testing of the child several days later was negative for bird flu but was positive for other common respiratory viruses.   

During the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) department investigation, all household members reported having symptoms and specimens were collected from them. All test results from members of the household were negative for bird flu. Contact tracing continues, but currently no evidence exists of person-to-person spread of bird flu from this child to others. To date, no person-to-person spread has been identified associated with any of the bird flu cases reported in the U.S.  

This case was detected through influenza testing and reported to CDPH through influenza surveillance. This is the second U.S. case identified through national surveillance. CDC continues to monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems, particularly in states affected by outbreaks in animals, including California, where widespread outbreaks of bird flu have been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry since 2022 and dairy herds since August 2024 in that state.  

Limited and sporadic human infections with bird flu virus, when animal exposure was not identified, are very uncommon but have occurred, primarily in countries other than the U.S., the CDC said. These instances underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance and investigations at the local, state, and federal levels.   

Including this most recent case, as of Nov. 22, 55 human cases of H5 bird flu have now been reported in the U.S. this year, with 29 in California.  

CDC’s risk assessment for the public is low. However, people with exposure to infected or potentially infected animals, such as birds, dairy cattle, or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at higher risk of infection. CDC recommends avoiding unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows).  

Additionally, on Monday the CDPH warned consumers not to drink one batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County due to a detection of bird flu virus. A recall has been issued.  

No illnesses associated with this lot of raw milk have been reported. Out of an abundance of caution, and due to the ongoing spread of bird flu in dairy cows, poultry, and sporadic human cases, CDPH said consumers should not consume any of the affected raw milk. Customers should immediately return any remaining product to the retail point of purchase. CDPH is also notifying retailers to remove the affected raw milk from their shelves.  

Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness. Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin-producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and many other bacteria have all been reported related to consuming raw dairy products.