20.09.2015

One laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with an avian influenza A(H9N2) virus was reported to WHO from Bangladesh. The case was a 3.5-year-old girl who developed mild illness on 1 February2015 and recovered from her illness by 7 February. An influenza A(H9) virus was detected upon testing of a respiratory sample from the case and the virus was later confirmed as an influenza A(H9N2) virus,similar to other A(H9N2) viruses previously isolated in Bangladesh. The case had close contact with poultry, including sick quails, prior to her onset of illness. No further cases were detected among her close contacts.This is the second case of human infection with an avian influenza A(H9N2) virus reported to WHO from Bangladesh. The previous case occurred in 2011. Avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses are known to be circulating in poultry populations in Bangladesh.Overall public health risk assessment for avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses: Further human cases and small clusters could occur as this virus is circulating in poultry populations across Asia and Middle East.This virus does not seem to transmit easily between humans and tends to result in mild clinical disease, therefore the current likelihood of community-level spread and public health impact of this virus is considered low.