GUNTUR: A two-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh has died after contracting bird flu (H5N1), triggering concern among health authorities. The incident occurred in Narasaraopet, Guntur district, and was officially confirmed by the district medical and health department on Tuesday night.
The child, identified as Pendyala Jyothi from Balayya Nagar in Narasaraopet, had been unwell since 4 March. She exhibited symptoms including fever, difficulty in breathing, nasal discharge, seizures, diarrhoea, and inability to eat. Her family admitted her to AIMS in Mangalagiri on the same day.
Despite being treated with oxygen support, her condition worsened, and she passed away on 16 March.
During her treatment, doctors collected throat and nasal swab samples on 7 March. Initial tests at the Virology Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at AIMS Mangalagiri confirmed Influenza A. A second sample was sent to Delhi on 15 March, which returned inconclusive, prompting further investigation.
Alerted by the uncertainty, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) forwarded swab samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune on 24 March. The test results confirmed that Jyothi had been infected with the H5N1 virus.
This is the first officially confirmed death due to bird flu in Andhra Pradesh, and health authorities are now closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread.
