DTMT Network

India has reported the first case of human death due to bird flu, the strain of influenza virus that primarily infects birds.

An 11-year-old boy, admitted to AIIMS on July 2, was confirmed dead due to bird flu on July 21, 2021. Contact tracing to identify people who might have been in close proximity with the boy is being undertaken.

A Haryana resident was reportedly admitted to AIIMS with high fever and cough on July 2.

India has experienced multiple outbreaks of avian influenza in the last 15 years, mainly affecting poultry. However, there has been no known case of human death due to the disease. Not surprisingly, public health specialists are alarmed at the development.