Bangladeshi health officials reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) in September of a human infection with an avian influenza A(H9N2) virus. The case, which occurred in a toddler in February, is the second known case in Bangladesh (1st case in 2011).
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The patient, a 3.5-year-old girl who developed mild illness on 1 February 2015 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.
Avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses are known to be circulating in poultry populations in Bangladesh.
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.
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