The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Nov. 22 confirmed a case of avian influenza (H5N1) in a boy in California, making it the first reported bird flu infection in a child in the United States.

In 2024, more than 50 human cases of H5N1 have been reported among farm workers, with 29 cases in California.All cases involved mild symptoms such as pink eye.In Canada, a teenage boy recently tested positive for H5N1 and remains in critical condition.

Close contacts of both the California child and the Canadian teenager have tested negative for the virus. “To date, there has been no person-to-person spread identified associated with any of the H5N1 bird flu cases reported in the United States,” the CDC stated.

Canadian doctors who treated the infected teenager have shared the virus’s genetic information online, which revealed mutations that may improve its ability to infect humans, according toKatelyn Jetelina, MPH, PhD, an epidemiologist and data scientist who founded the newsletter “Your Local Epidemiologist.”

“These changes alone do not mean that the virus is poised for efficient human-to-human spread, as many additional changes are likely needed for that to occur,” Jetelina told Verywell.

How Does Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

How Can You Reduce the Risk of Bird Flu Infection?

A CDC spokesperson told Verywell that as long as bird flu persists in wild birds, poultry, and dairy cows, sporadic infections in people with direct or recreational exposure are possible.

People who go hunting should also follow the CDC’s recommended precautions since those animals could also contract and harbor H5N1, saidShira Doron, MD,chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine.

Bird Flu Still ‘Several Mutations’ Away From Infecting Many Humans, Experts Say

Can You Get Vaccinated Against Bird Flu?

There’s no bird flu vaccine for humans right now. However, the seasonal flu shot may help lower the risk of viral mutations, according toRobert Hopkins, MD,medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

“The flu vaccine we get is not likely to be protective against H5N1, but influenza viruses can share genetic material, so if you get two viruses, there can be virus reassortment, which may result in the development of another more serious virus,” Hopkins told Verywell.

People exposed to bird flu who develop symptoms should be treated with Tamiflu as soon as possible. The CDC also recommends the drug for people exposed to infected animals without protective gear or with damaged gear that may have increased their risk.

Children and teenagers may experience more severe symptoms due to their lower exposure to seasonal flu infections and vaccines, Hopkins said. However, the CDC notes that there’s a wide range of symptoms seen in younger people, from mild to severe.

If H5N1 begins spreading widely in humans, vaccine candidates are under evaluation and could become available, Hopkins said.

Is There a Vaccine for Bird Flu?

What This Means For YouWhile the risk of bird flu spreading between humans remains low, it’s important to follow safety measures, especially if you work with animals. Avoid contact with sick or dead animals and wear protective gear when working around potentially infected animals.

What This Means For You

While the risk of bird flu spreading between humans remains low, it’s important to follow safety measures, especially if you work with animals. Avoid contact with sick or dead animals and wear protective gear when working around potentially infected animals.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu infection in a child in California.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.H5 bird flu: current situation.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC A(H5N1) bird flu response update November 18, 2024.Medscape.Canadian scientists keep watchful eye on H5N1 human case.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Information for workers exposed to H5N1 bird flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus: interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu infection in a child in California.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.H5 bird flu: current situation.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC A(H5N1) bird flu response update November 18, 2024.Medscape.Canadian scientists keep watchful eye on H5N1 human case.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Information for workers exposed to H5N1 bird flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus: interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu infection in a child in California.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.H5 bird flu: current situation.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC A(H5N1) bird flu response update November 18, 2024.Medscape.Canadian scientists keep watchful eye on H5N1 human case.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Information for workers exposed to H5N1 bird flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus: interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu infection in a child in California.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.H5 bird flu: current situation.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC A(H5N1) bird flu response update November 18, 2024.

Medscape.Canadian scientists keep watchful eye on H5N1 human case.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Information for workers exposed to H5N1 bird flu.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus: interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?