Officials: San Francisco child presumptively tests positive for bird flu

SAN FRANCISCO — Public health officials say a San Francisco child has presumptively tested positive for H5N1 bird flu.

The San Francisco Department of Health said that the child, who experienced fever and conjunctivitis symptoms, has since fully recovered and there is low risk to the public.

“I want to assure everyone in our city that the risk to the general public is low, and there is no current evidence that the virus can be transmitted between people,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of health.

The department’s Public Health Laboratory performed the initial tests. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will perform confirmatory tests.

Before the child’s positive test, the California Department of Health had reported 37 human cases of bird flu as of Dec. 23.

In all but one of those cases, health officials sourced exposure to cattle. None of cases required hospitalization.

Despite the limited impacts on humans, the state proclaimed a state of emergency last month to respond to outbreaks throughout its dairy farms.

Before the bird flu diagnosis, the child initially tested positive for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

Potential symptoms of bird flu included eye redness, coughing, fatigue, fever and headaches.

An initial investigation has not determined how the child contracted the virus and remains ongoing.

Health officials have warned residents to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and refrain from consuming raw milk or unpasteurized dairy products.