Bloomberg
Singapore -- Bird flu infections in some children may be going undetected because the virus causes mild or no symptoms, researchers in Cambodia found, indicating more human cases have probably occurred than have been officially recorded.
A study of 674 people exposed to the deadly H5N1 avian influenza in two villages in Cambodia found seven had developed antibodies against the virus, indicating prior infection. All of the cases occurred in people aged 4 to 18, the researchers said in a study being presented at a conference in Bangkok Thursday.
The finding indicates more people, particularly children and adolescents, may be contracting the virus without developing the high fever and severe pneumonia that's the hallmark of H5N1 in people. Three of every five reported human cases worldwide have been fatal. Higher rates of milder disease might indicate the virus has found a way to spread more efficiently in humans.
A study of 674 people exposed to the deadly H5N1 avian influenza in two villages in Cambodia found seven had developed antibodies against the virus, indicating prior infection. All of the cases occurred in people aged 4 to 18, the researchers said in a study being presented at a conference in Bangkok Thursday.
The finding indicates more people, particularly children and adolescents, may be contracting the virus without developing the high fever and severe pneumonia that's the hallmark of H5N1 in people. Three of every five reported human cases worldwide have been fatal. Higher rates of milder disease might indicate the virus has found a way to spread more efficiently in humans.
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