A child has tested positive for bird flu in Australia in the country’s first human case of the strain.
The child, who returned to Victoria from India in March, experienced a ‘severe infection’ after contracting the H5N1 strain which has been spreading rapidly across the world.
They have since made a full recovery, Victoria’s chief health officer confirmed on Wednesday.
“This is the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Australia,” Dr Clare Looker said. “The avian influenza virus was detected through further testing of positive influenza samples that takes place to detect novel or concerning flu virus strains, as part of Victoria’s enhanced surveillance system.
“Contact tracing has not identified any further cases of avian influenza connected to this case.”
It comes as scientists in the US fear it could spread to humans more commonly after a number of cows became infected.
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