Occurrence of the Avian influenza A(H9N2) virus is making headlines as a 17-month-old boy in Maharashtra has been reported to be infected by it. This case marks the first human case of H9N2 virus infection in the country. The presence of H9N2 viruses in poultry in India has been reported multiple times.
About H9N2 Virus
H9N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which is responsible for causing influenza in humans and birds. Tracing back to its origins, this subtype was isolated for the first time in Wisconsin, US in 1966 from turkey flocks.
Globally, H9N2 viruses are detected in wild birds and they have become endemic in poultry in many areas. Despite its widespread presence in birds, human infection with the H9N2 virus is rare. Instances of H9N2 virus in humans are likely under-reported due to the typically mild symptoms that this infection presents.
Reported Cases of Human Infection
Regions that have witnessed cases of human H9N2 virus infection include Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Egypt. The first case of human infection on a global scale was reported from Hong Kong in 1998.
Facts About H9N2 Virus
| First Isolation | 1966 in Wisconsin, US |
|---|---|
| First Global Human Case | 1998 in Hong Kong |
| Hosts | Wild birds, Poultry |
| Human Infections | Rare, often under-reported |
| First Human Case in India | 17-month-old boy in Maharashtra |
The Emerging Threat of H9N2 Virus
With the World Health Organization (WHO) warning of the potential role that H9N2 viruses could play in the next influenza pandemic, it has become an emerging threat. The active circulation of avian influenza viruses in poultry poses a risk for sporadic infections and small clusters of human cases due to exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments.
The recent case of the 17-month-old boy in Maharashtra underscores the pressing need to monitor the spread of this virus closely, especially considering that this is the first reported human case of H9N2 in the country.
Source: TH
