An 11-year boy from Haryana was admitted to the All India Institute Of Medical Science in Delhi on July 2 after he was diagnosed with leukemia and pneumonia died of the H5N1 avian influenza on Tuesday. It is the first such death registered in India in 2021, as reported by PTI. The news agency further said that his samples tested negative for Covid-19 and it was sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune where it was confirmed to be positive for H5N1 avian influenza. The boy reported common symptoms like runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing.
Although bird flu or avian influenza is a highly contagious disease, the doctor said that it does not easily spread among humans. The flu is caused by Influenza Type A viruses, which are known to affect poultry, those who come in contact with infected birds may contract the flu.
