Ecuador reports first human case of Avian Influenza after 9-year-old girl infected

Photo Credit: BAHA

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Ecuador Ministry of Public Health confirmed that a nine-year-old infected with the A-H5 strain of Avian Influenza is the first human case in the South American country, according to teleSUR. The Health Ministry said on Tuesday that the case was reported in the central province of Bolivar.

“It is presumed that the infection was caused by direct contact with birds carrying the virus,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.

“So far no other cases of human infection have been reported.”

With Avian Influenza (bird or avian flu) detected in Honduras, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) has warned that the disease can infect humans, such as the case of a nine-year-old girl infected in Ecuador.

The Ecuadorean Ministry of Health advised citizens to follow the safety protocols of handwashing, wearing of masks, and vaccination against influenza. It also advised people to go to health centers in case of symptoms like cough and sore throat.

Ecuador’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) reported two new cases of avian influenza on Monday. MAG said 300,000 birds were infected in December after two initial outbreaks in poultry farms.

The Ministry of Health had declared a 90-day animal health emergency on November 30, 2022.

In Belize, the BAHA is on high alert because of the cases of infected pelicans reported along the Honduras coast that are very close to Belize.