Thailand, boy tests positive for bird flu H5N1

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 21 Oct 2005 - 20:00 PDT

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An eight-year-old Thai boy, Ronarit Benpad, tested positive for bird flu, H5N1 strain, say Thai authorities. Fortunately, he was treated with Tamiflu early and his fever has subsided - doctors said he is eating normally now.

His father had bird flu and doctors were concerned he may have caught it off him. This would mean that there was a chance the virus was beginning to mutate. However, people with continuous contact with an infected patient have been known to get bird flu from that patient (not easily). Officials say it is unlikely he caught it off his father. The boy was in constant contact with birds in an area which had bird flu infection.

Ronarit's father died on Wednesday.

Over 60 people have died as a result of bird flu in Asia (since 2003).

Bird flu started off two years ago in South Korea. It has spread (among birds) and has now been found in Greece, Turkey, Russia and Romania.

The virus is spreading as a result of birds migrating. Birds are currently migrating from Siberia, through eastern Europe, to Africa.

There is some concern that Tamiflu, the only drug that can help an infected person, is meeting resistance from the bird flu virus. All doctors can currently do if the virus resists the drug is to increase the dosage. Tamiflu is effective in helping an infected person pull through if it is administered early. If bird flu infection is not detected and treated early, Tamiflu is not very effective.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today


Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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