ATLANTA – Federal health officials recently confirmed that H5N1 avian influenza was detected in a child in California, the first time the virus infection was reported in a child in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the child experienced mild symptoms and received flu antivirals.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to investigate the child’s possible H5N1 exposure source.

“During CDPH’s investigation, all household members reported having symptoms and specimens were collected from those people,” the CDC said. “All test results from members of the household were negative for H5 bird flu, and some family members were positive for the same common respiratory viruses as the child. Contact tracing continues, but there is currently no evidence of person-to-person spread of H5N1 bird flu from this child to others.”

The CDC also confirmed its risk assessment for the general public remains low.

During 2024, 55 human cases of H5 bird flu have been reported in the United States, with 29 reported in California.