Child tests positive for bird flu after suffering conjunctivitis as pandemic fears grow

The case comes as scientists warn the virus could evolve to spread more easily between humans, potentially leading to a pandemic.

Dr Grant Colfax, from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, moved to calm public fears, stating: "I want to assure everyone in our city that the risk to the general public is low."

"There is no current evidence that the virus can be transmitted between people," he added.

The child has since made a full recovery and was never admitted to hospital.

The presumptive case was identified at the SFDPH Public Health Laboratory, with confirmatory testing to be conducted by the CDC.

The case brings the total number of confirmed H5N1 cases in the US to 67, according to the CDC.

MORE LIKE THIS:

• Bird flu 'mutates' as warning issued over 'huge red flag' that would risk new pandemic
• Five million vaccines ordered against potential 'next Covid' as Britain nears five-year anniversary of pandemic
• Flu jabs axed for over-50s 'fuelling NHS winter crisis', experts warn

California accounts for the majority with 38 cases, most linked to dairy workers who had direct contact with infected cows.

Other affected states include Colorado with 10 cases, Washington with 11, and smaller numbers in Michigan, Missouri, Oregon and Texas.

Nearly all cases have presented with mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis and sore throat.

The outbreak has primarily affected dairy cattle, prompting California to declare a state of emergency in recent weeks.

Last month, a 65-year-old man in Louisiana became the first US death from H5N1, though his case involved a different strain linked directly to birds rather than cattle.

Scientists note the cattle-linked strain, known as B3.13 genotype, typically causes milder illness in humans.

Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido, from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, warned: "The clock is ticking for the virus to evolve to more easily infect and potentially transmit from human to human, which would be a concern."

These concerns have been reinforced by recent research at Scripps Research in San Diego.

Scientists there tested various genetic mutations on virus material from infected cattle.

Their tests revealed a mutated strain of H5N1 capable of binding to human upper respiratory cells. This adaptation could enable the virus to spread between people through coughing or sneezing.

Researchers have found that H5N1 is just one mutation away from being able to transmit between humans. Such a development could potentially trigger a global pandemic, experts warn.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stated that the virus is highly unlikely to affect cattle in Britain.

The agency maintains that the risk to the British public remains low., however, preparations are being made as a precautionary measure.

Officials have ordered five million doses of a vaccine against the H5 family of viruses. These vaccines would be deployed if bird flu begins to spread between humans.

The measure comes as part of broader international preparations for potential virus evolution.