April 04, 2025

Heart failure may dent attention span and problem-solving skills early: Study

People with heart failure are likely to experience a significant decrease in cognitive abilities like attention and problem-solving, according to a study on Thursday.

Key Points

1 Cognitive abilities decline significantly within 7 years of heart failure diagnosis

2 Mental aging equivalent to 10 years accelerated

3 Affects attention and problem-solving skills

4 Largest impact on older adults and women

Researchers from the University of Michigan, US examined the cognitive abilities of nearly 30,000 adults over time, comparing those who did and did not develop heart failure.

The researchers found heart failure is associated with a significant decrease in cognition at the time of diagnosis.

Global cognition and executive functioning also declined more rapidly over the years after heart failure diagnosis.

The team found that people with the condition mentally aged the equivalent of 10 years within just seven years of a heart failure diagnosis.

“Heart failure is a disease that never goes away and treating it relies heavily on a patient’s ability to follow specific instructions, monitor their symptoms, and keep up with many different medications,” said Supriya Shore, first author and clinical assistant professor of internal medicine-cardiology at University of Michigan Medical School.

“Seeing this cognitive decline among patients, and how it worsens over time after a diagnosis of heart failure, should be a warning for providers to assess a patient’s cognitive ability early and factor it into the care plan,” she added.

Notably, the study, published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure, showed that the typical risk factors for cognitive impairment, such as high blood pressure and heart attack, did not explain the accelerated decline observed in the participants with heart failure.

The largest decrease in global cognition -- a composite of several features of cognitive ability, including attention and problem-solving -- occurred among older adults, women, and white participants.

Adults with heart failure reached the threshold for meaningful decline in global cognition nearly six years earlier than people without it. Executive functioning would diminish around four-and-a-half years earlier.

Globally, an estimated 64 million people suffer heart failure. Monitoring these people, although complex, may prevent cognitive decline in adults, said the team.

“Regular cognitive monitoring of older adults with heart failure would help identify individuals with the earliest signs of cognitive decline who require supportive care,” said Deborah A. Levine, Professor of internal medicine and neurology at the varsity.

 

https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/heart-failure-dent-attention-span-problem-solving-skills-early-study-531

Common gut bacteria can make diabetes, cancer drugs less effective: Study

A groundbreaking study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Yale University has uncovered how common gut bacteria can significantly impact the effectiveness of crucial medications. The research revealed that bacterial strains can metabolize and transform drugs targeting cellular receptors, potentially reducing their therapeutic potential. Scientists discovered that out of 127 tested drugs, 30 were metabolized, with 12 experiencing substantial chemical transformation. These findings underscore the complex interactions between human microbiome and pharmaceutical treatments, highlighting the need for more personalized medical approaches.

"Understanding how GPCR-targeted drugs interact with human gut microbiota is critical" - Dr. Qihao Wu, University of Pittsburgh

Common gut bacteria can make diabetes, cancer drugs less effective: Study

Common gut bacteria can metabolise some oral medications potentially rendering these important drugs against migraines, depression, type 2 diabetes, and prostate cancer less effective, according to a study on Thursday.

Key Points

1 Gut bacteria metabolize over 30 critical medications targeting cellular receptors

2 Research identifies potential challenges in personalized medicine approaches

3 Bacterial transformation can significantly alter drug concentration and efficacy

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Yale University in the US showed that gut bacteria metabolises oral drugs that target cellular receptors called GPCRs.

Drugs that act on GPCRs, or G protein-coupled receptors, include more than 400 medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of many common conditions such as migraines, depression, type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, and more.

“Understanding how GPCR-targeted drugs interact with human gut microbiota is critical for advancing personalised medicine initiatives,” said Qihao Wu, Assistant Professor at the Pitt School of Pharmacy.

“This research could help open up new avenues for drug design and therapeutic optimisation to ensure that treatments work better and safer for every individual,” Wu said.

The effectiveness of a drug varies from person to person, influenced by age, genetic makeup, diet and other factors.

Recently, researchers discovered that microbes in the gut can also metabolise orally administered drugs. It breaks down the compounds into different chemical structures which then alters the drugs' efficacy.

To learn more about which gut bacteria metabolises which drugs, the team built a synthetic microbial community composed of 30 common bacterial strains found in the human gut.

In the lab study, they added each of the 127 GPCR-targeting drugs individually to tubes containing the bacteria.

The experiment showed that the bacterial mix metabolised 30 of the 127 tested drugs, 12 of which were heavily metabolised. This meant that concentrations of the original drug were greatly depleted because they were transformed into other compounds.

Overall, the findings, published in the journal Nature Chemistry, suggest that “specific gut bacteria could make GPCR-targeting drugs less effective by transforming them into other compounds,” the team said. The team urged for more research to understand the potential impact in people and that patients shouldn’t stop taking or, change their medication without consulting their provider.

Blood pressure patterns in early pregnancy can predict hypertension risk years later

A landmark study reveals that blood pressure patterns during early pregnancy could be a critical predictor of future cardiovascular risks. Researchers tracked over 170,000 women and discovered that specific blood pressure trajectories can indicate hypertension potential years after childbirth. Women with elevated-stable blood pressure patterns were found to be at significantly higher risk of developing hypertension. This research offers promising insights for early intervention and preventive healthcare strategies.

"Blood pressure trajectories during early pregnancy can stratify cardiovascular risk" - University of Pittsburgh Research Team

Blood pressure patterns in early pregnancy can predict hypertension risk years later

Blood pressure patterns observed in the first half of pregnancy, even among women without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), can predict the risk of developing hypertension up to 14 years after giving birth, according to a study.

Key Points

1 First comprehensive study tracking 174,774 women's cardiovascular health post-pregnancy

2 Six distinct blood pressure risk groups identified

3 Elevated-stable patterns indicate highest future hypertension risk

4 Early detection can prevent potential heart complications

 

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death.

The study, appearing in the journal Hypertension, focusses on a group of postpartum women who are not currently recognised as being at high risk for future hypertension and cardiovascular disease because they did not develop HDP during pregnancy.

HDP includes serious complications such as preeclampsia and gestational hypertension during pregnancy and is known to increase the risk of heart disease later in life.

The team led by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, in the US, found that women who showed certain blood pressure patterns during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy were more likely to develop hypertension later in life.

The study followed 174,774 women who received prenatal care at a US-based healthcare non-profit Kaiser Permanente Northern California between 2009 and 2019.

None of these women had hypertension, kidney, liver, or heart disease, or a history of preeclampsia before pregnancy. Researchers tracked their health records up to 14 years after delivery to identify new cases of hypertension.

The team identified six distinct risk groups of blood pressure trajectory -- ranging from ultra-low to elevated-stable patterns. Women with elevated-stable blood pressure patterns were found to be at the highest risk.

This study shows that blood pressure trajectories during early pregnancy can stratify this risk, even for women without HDP.

The study showed that these blood pressure patterns could differentiate risk levels among women with and without HDP.

Among groups of women who did not develop HDP, those with higher-risk blood pressure patterns -- including elevated-stable patterns -- during early pregnancy were still 11 times more likely to develop hypertension years later than those women with less risky blood pressure patterns.

The researchers called for identifying women at higher risk, offering targeted surveillance and early interventions, potentially preventing future heart problems.

New blood test may help diagnose, show how far Alzheimer’s has progressed

A new blood test could help doctors diagnose and identify the stage of Alzheimer’s.

  • There are currently a few tests, including blood tests, that can be used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s and determine which stage the disease is in.
  • Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a blood test that can not only help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, but can also provide information to doctors on how far the disease has progressed.
  • This builds on previous research on a new protein biomarker for tau tangles in Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers estimate that more than 55 million peopleTrusted Source around the world live with Alzheimer’s disease — a type of dementia that impacts a person’s memory and thinking skills.

 

There are currently a few tests that can be used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, such as blood tests looking for the proteins amyloid-betaTrusted Source and tau, that are associated with the condition, as well as cognitive tests and brain imaging.

 

However, people are not always diagnosed at the beginning of the disease — they can be diagnosed at different stages, which can influence how they are treated.

Now, researchers at WashU Medicine in St. Louis, MO, have developed a blood test that can not only help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease but also provide insight to doctors on how far the disease has progressed, helping them determine the right treatment path.

 

A study on this new blood test was recently published in the journal Nature MedicineTrusted Source.

 

New protein biomarker for tau tangles

For this new blood test, researchers focused on a protein called MTBR-tau243, which researchers of this study identified as a potential biomarkerTrusted Source for tau tanglesTrusted Source in Alzheimer’s disease in previous research published in August 2023.

“MTBR-tau243 is a chipped (off) piece of the protein in Alzheimer’s tau tangles,” Randall J. Bateman, MD, the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Distinguished Professor of Neurology at WashU Medicine in St. Louis, MO, and co-senior author of this study explained to Medical News Today. “The blood test measures this piece of tau tangles in the blood as a measure of how many tangles are in the brain.”

“New biomarkers are tools that allow us to track the disease in different ways,” Bateman continued. “Just like doctors use a stethoscope, x-ray, and CAT scan to measure different aspects of the disease, these biomarkers enable us to measure different aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. By tracking different processes of Alzheimer’s disease, we can better diagnose, predict and even develop new and better treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.”

“The new biomarker — plasma eMTBR-tau243 — reflects changes in tau pathology occurring in the clinical symptomatic phase of Alzheimer’s disease and can be used to stage Alzheimer’s disease tauopathy, and to determine if cognitive symptoms are likely due to Alzheimer’s disease tau pathology,” added Kanta Horie, PhD, voluntary research associate professor of neurology at WashU Medicine in St. Louis, MO, and both co-first and co-corresponding author of this study.

“Also, many therapeutic developments are ongoing including anti-amyloid and anti-tau drugs. We believe that this new biomarker becomes the key to establish the plasma biomarkers panel to stage Alzheimer’s disease, which would open the new window of precision medicine era for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Biomarker up to 200 times higher in late-stage Alzheimer’s

During the study, researchers tested study participants from three main stages of Alzheimer’s disease: presymptomatic, early-stage with mild cognitive impairmentsTrusted Source, and late symptomatic disease where participants have been diagnosed with dementia.

The scientists found that blood MTBR-tau243 levels reflected the amount of tau tangles in the brain with 92% accuracy.

Among participants showing cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers discovered that MTBR-tau243 levels were significantly higher for participants at the mild cognitive stage, and up to 200 times higher for those in the late symptomatic disease stage.

 

A NEW PROTEIN BIOMARKER FOR ALZHEIMER’S

“The cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease is highly associated with (tau) neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) pathology in (the) brain, not amyloid plaques pathology. Since we know that NFTs are more generated in the dementia stage in Alzheimer’s disease, it is reasonable for us to see the drastic increase of MTBR-tau243 in the dementia stage compared to the preclinical Alzheimer’s disease stage, which suggests the validation to characterize the plasma MTBR-tau243 biomarker as the tau NFTs-specific biomarker.”
— Kanta Horie, PhD

“The significance of finding increasing amounts of MTBR-243 related to Alzheimer’s symptoms — memory loss and thinking impairment — is (that) this discovery now allows us to track the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease with a blood test,” Bateman explained.

Blood tests: Next step in Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment

“This new blood test can confirm the amount of tau tangles in the brain that helps determine the stage of Alzheimer’s disease and if cognitive decline is likely due to Alzheimer’s disease. This test can be used to accelerate new treatments, and with further validation, improve diagnosis and stage of Alzheimer’s disease.”
— Randall J. Bateman, MD

MNT spoke with Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD, director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center and co-director of the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study.

Parulekar commented that this blood test represents a logical next step in Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment, building upon previous research and addressing significant unmet needs.

“Scientists have identified key biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s, such as amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain,” she explained. “Earlier diagnostic methods, like PET scans and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, could detect these biomarkers, but they are expensive, invasive, and not readily accessible.”

“A blood test offers a much simpler and less costly alternative. There’s a growing understanding that early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, which is a complex process, is crucial for effective intervention. Current treatments, while limited, may be more beneficial in the early stages of the disease. A readily available blood test could enable much earlier detection than current methods, allowing for earlier intervention and potentially slowing disease progression.”— Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD

“The initial study needs to be replicated in larger and more diverse populations to confirm its accuracy and reliability across different demographics, ethnicities, and stages of the disease,” Parulekar added. “This includes testing individuals with other neurological conditions to ensure specificity. Clear and standardized protocols for blood collection, processing, and analysis must be established to ensure consistent and reproducible results across different laboratories and healthcare settings.”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alzheimers-study-controversy-what-does-it-mean-for-future-research#What-can-journals-do-to-prevent-future-misconduct

Molecular stool test shows promise for TB diagnosis in adults with HIV: Study

A groundbreaking study reveals a promising new method for detecting tuberculosis in HIV-positive adults using molecular stool testing. Traditional sputum tests often fail for patients with advanced HIV, creating significant diagnostic challenges. The research, conducted in Eswatini, Mozambique, and Uganda, demonstrates that the Stool Ultra test can identify TB cases missed by conventional methods. This innovative approach could significantly improve early detection and treatment for vulnerable populations living with HIV and tuberculosis.

"The results support the use of Stool Ultra test as a complementary tool for diagnosing tuberculosis in people living with HIV" - Alberto L. Garcia-Basteiro

Moving beyond the traditional sputum tests, a new study on Friday showed that a molecular stool test may increase detection of tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV.

Key Points

1 Molecular stool test shows 23.7% sensitivity for TB diagnosis

2 New method helps HIV patients unable to produce sputum

3 Study conducted across three African countries

4 Complements existing TB diagnostic strategies

 

The research, published in the journal The Lancet Microbe, showed that using a molecular test (called Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra), currently used on respiratory samples, on stool samples -- until now recommended only for children -- could be established as an additional test for diagnosing TB in adults living with HIV.

It could represent a paradigm shift in the diagnosis of the disease in this population, said the team of researchers led by Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Spain.

“People living with HIV are at higher risk of developing pulmonary TB, but diagnosis in these cases is particularly challenging due to the low sensitivity of conventional tests,” explains George William Kasule, a doctoral student at ISGlobal and the University of Barcelona, and the first author of the study.

TB, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was responsible for 1.25 million deaths in 2023. Of these, 13 per cent were among people living with HIV.

Currently, the main diagnostic strategy for TB focuses on sputum samples -- obtained by deep coughing and expectoration of secretions produced in the lungs. For people living with HIV, a molecular sputum test is recommended in addition to urine antigen detection (TB-LAM).

However, these diagnostics are not effective for all people living with HIV, as they often struggle to produce sputum, and more than half of those in advanced stages of the disease are unable to do so.

Moreover, the concentration of bacteria in the sputum is often so low that it is undetectable.

To tackle this, the new research focused on stool samples. The team recruited 677 patients over 15 years old with HIV and suspected TB in medical centres in three African countries -Eswatini, Mozambique, and Uganda between December 2021 and August 2024.

Participants provided sputum, urine, stool, and blood samples.

The results showed that the stool test had a sensitivity of 23.7 per cent and a specificity of 94.0 per cent, compared with the reference standard.

“The results of our study support the use of the Stool Ultra test as a complementary tool for diagnosing tuberculosis in people living with HIV, especially in those with advanced AIDS, where the risk of tuberculosis is higher,” said Alberto L. Garcia-Basteiro, a researcher at ISGlobal and head of the Vaccine and Immune Response to Infections Unit at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.

The Stool Ultra test identified additional cases that were not detected by TB-LAM, Ultra in sputum, or bacterial culture. Most importantly, it could confirm the disease in many cases where respiratory tests are negative.

“This Shouldn’t Be a Thing Anymore” – 160+ Measles Cases Across U.S. Spark Public Health Alarm

Over 160 measles cases have been reported in nine U.S. states this year, mostly among unvaccinated individuals, with one death and over 30 hospitalizations. Health experts warn that declining vaccination rates and rising hesitancy could threaten the U.S.’s measles-free status, despite the vaccine being highly effective and widely available.

Over 160 measles cases in 2024 have raised alarms about vaccine hesitancy and declining immunity, threatening the U.S.’s measles elimination status despite the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine.

 

More than 160 measles cases have been reported across nine states so far this year, including one death and over 30 hospitalizations, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

The CDC reports that 95% of these cases occurred in individuals who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Only 5% of cases involved people who had received one or two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

 

What’s worrying is that “outbreaks are happening in the context of increased rates of vaccine hesitancy and decreased rates of immunity,” said Dr. Patrick Jackson, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine who specializes in infectious diseases.

 

“It’s an incredibly contagious virus, so we rely on high levels of vaccination to contain the spread,” he said. “That makes me worry about when we’ll have a lower vaccine level and see more sustained transmission of measles.”

A Disease Once Thought Eliminated

First introduced in 1963, the vaccine virtually eliminated the disease in the U.S. by 2000. There have been occasional case clusters since, usually involving an unvaccinated person being exposed to measles while traveling, Jackson said.

In 2019, 649 cases were confirmed in New York’s Williamsburg neighborhood. An estimated 93% of the cases were in the Orthodox Jewish community after an unvaccinated child was exposed to measles while traveling abroad. The overwhelming number of cases were in young, unvaccinated people, with 81.2% of patients under 18.

 

“If people have received appropriate measles vaccination, we believe immunity is lifelong and there is no need to pursue additional protection,” Jackson said.

Measles, an airborne illness, is extremely infectious. Before the measles vaccine became available, the illness killed between 400 and 500 people in the United States each year and hospitalized an estimated 48,000 every year, according to CDC data.

 

The World Health Organization declared measles eliminated in the U.S. in 2000; both North and South America were declared free from the virus in 2016. But, with the new outbreaks across the country, the Pan-American Health Organization warns the eliminated status may be at risk.

 

“This is a disease that should not be a thing anymore in this country,” Dr. Taison Bell, UVA’s acting chair of medicine, said. “We have a vaccine that prevents it and the ability to eradicate it.”

The Importance of Full Vaccination

The recommended protection is two doses of the vaccine, which is 97% effective at preventing measles. The Pan-American Health Organization recommends that 95% of the population should be vaccinated, with a focus on children and young adults.

 

Roughly a third of cases reported this year by the CDC were in children under 5, and almost half of cases were in children 5 to 19 years old.

 

Others at risk are healthcare workers, immunocompromised people, pregnant women, and unvaccinated children. Infants are at higher risk because they cannot get vaccinated before their first birthday.

 

“There are some higher risk categories but, for most people, if you’re fully vaccinated, you should have nothing to worry about,” Bell said. “Even though measles is highly infectious, it doesn’t mutate much like COVID or the flu, so the vaccine is very effective and gives lifelong immunity.”

 

UVA requires incoming students to show proof of vaccination against measles, with few exemptions, including a religious exemption, Bell said.

 

“We’re a reasonably well-vaccinated population,” he said.

Doctors began recommending two doses of the vaccine in 1989, according to Bell. He said anyone vaccinated before that year should check to see if they should go back in for their second dose.

 

“I was actually in this category,” he said. “It’s never too late to get vaccinated.”


https://scitechdaily.com/this-shouldnt-be-a-thing-anymore-160-measles-cases-across-u-s-spark-public-health-alarm/

Parkinson’s Symptoms Reduced by AI-Powered Treatment

Breakthrough AI technologies are revolutionizing the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in various ways, offering renewed hope to millions of individuals suffering from this neurodegenerative disorder.

 
The most exciting breakthrough is Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation (aDBS), which reduces Parkinson’s symptoms by up to 50%. While earlier DBS devices gave the brain continuous electrical stimulation, aDBS employs artificial intelligence that monitors brain activity in real time.
 
This smart system adapts stimulation at the exact time it is required, providing a tailored therapy strategy that significantly enhances symptom management while minimizing unwanted side effects.
 
AIDP diagnostic tool achieves 96% accuracy in MRI-based Parkinsonism differentiation
A University of California, San Francisco study, reported in Nature, points to how the AI-based approach improves the quality of neural signals chosen for symptom management. Through dynamic adaptation to the evolving states of the brain of the patient, aDBS delivers better therapy and significantly enhances quality of life.


The diagnostic landscape for Parkinson’s is similarly being revolutionized through AI applications. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a remarkable diagnostic tool called Automated Imaging Differentiation for Parkinsonism (AIDP). 
 
This software analyzes diffusion-weighted MRI scans using sophisticated machine learning algorithms to achieve an impressive 96% diagnostic accuracy rate.
This technology solves a major problem in Parkinson’s therapy—minimizing diagnostic mistakes and differentiating Parkinson’s from other movement disorders. With better and more accurate diagnosis, patients can be treated earlier in the right way, and this may lead to better long-term results.
 
AI Revolutionizing Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Parkinson’s drug development was previously slow and costly, but that too is being revolutionized by AI. Researchers at Cambridge used machine learning to discover compounds that block alpha-synuclein aggregation, a protein with very strong correlations with Parkinson’s pathology.
 
Their computer-based approach has accelerated chemical library screening by tenfold at a fraction of the expense. It has already identified five lead compounds for further investigation, potentially speeding the development of disease-modifying treatments that have been elusive for decades.
 
Outside of clinical environments, AI is improving daily patient care through groundbreaking monitoring devices. DXC Tele-Parkinson is one such example, applying AI to streamline remote patient care. The AI-powered smartphone app analyzes daily activity such as drawing spirals and tracks vital information on mood, sleep patterns, and medication response.


This technology allows patients to become actively involved in monitoring their condition without adding to the hassle of repeated hospitalization. The continuous flow of information allows greater personalized management of the disease and timely interventions when and where they are required.
 
Together, these advances are a giant step forward for humanity in the battle against Parkinson’s disease on multiple fronts—symptom control, diagnosis, drug discovery, and chronic care. To families and patients with Parkinson’s disease, these technologies are tangible sources of hope.
 
As researchers continue to develop these complex applications, the use of AI in the treatment of Parkinson’s has the potential to transform what has historically been a static disease into a more manageable one that improves life expectancy and improves the quality of life of those suffering from it.

https://techstory.in/parkinsons-symptoms-reduced-by-ai-powered-treatment/

April 03, 2025

2-year-old girl dies due to bird flu in Andhra

Health officials investigating the case discovered that the child had consumed a small piece of raw chicken on February 26, which they believe was the likely source of infection

A two-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh has died after contracting H5N1 bird flu, marking what appears to be the first human infection and fatality from the disease in the country since at least 2021.

The case comes amid growing international concern about H5N1 and its potential for wider transmission. While human cases remain exceedingly rare, the virus’s high mortality rate — approximately 50% in documented cases— has kept the disease on the radar of scientists around the world.

State health officials said the child, who resided in Baliah Nagar in Narasaopet town, Palnadu district, died on March 16 while receiving treatment at AIIMS-Mangalagiri. The Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) confirmed on March 24 that she had contracted bird flu, with additional confirmation from the Indian Council of Medical Research in Delhi.

Health officials investigating the case discovered that the child had consumed a small piece of raw chicken on February 26, which they believe was the likely source of infection. Family members reported that the girl occasionally ate raw chicken, a practice that significantly increases transmission risk.

“The girl developed fever and other symptoms on February 28 and was initially admitted to a local hospital,” a health department official said. “On March 4, she was transferred to AIIMS Mangalagiri after her condition worsened with acute fever, breathing difficulties and diarrhoea.”

The child’s parents have tested negative for the virus, as have all other family members, indicating the pathogen involved in this case did not jump to or from another human being – a scenario that would have otherwise been worrying. To be sure, there have been no recorded cases of human to human transmission of bird flu.

Dr T Damodar Naidu, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, stated that extensive surveillance has revealed no other cases of bird flu in Palnadu or neighbouring districts.

“We conducted physical surveillance of all poultry farms in the region and found no symptoms of bird flu among poultry,” Dr Naidu said. He emphasised that thorough cooking is crucial for prevention, noting that “the bird flu virus does not survive in temperatures above 60-70 degrees Celsius.”

The health department has deployed rapid response teams to conduct fever surveys in and around the locality where the girl lived, with no abnormal cases identified thus far. Surveillance will continue for the next two weeks, with testing organised for any suspected cases.

The Union ministry of health and family welfare has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to Andhra Pradesh to investigate and assist the state following the child’s death.

Officials from the ministry said they are closely watching the situation and believe the state is equipped to manage it.

“Human to human transmission of H5N1 virus is uncommon and the risk of any other epidemiologically-linked case being reported is assessed to be low. But, due to abundance of caution, the following public health measures have been initiated: Union health ministry has reviewed the status; the centre has deployed the National Joint Outbreak Response Team to undertake an epidemiological investigation and to assist the State,” said a senior health ministry official.

The official noted that according to data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory illness cases in the district over the past few weeks.

“AIIMS, Mangalagiri is an ICMR VRDL (Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory) that has sufficient quantities of kits and reagents for testing suspected influenza patients. Union health ministry through Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Disease Control, is closely monitoring the situation,” the official added.

Evolution growing concern

A highly pathogenic subtype of H5N1 was first detected in birds in China in 1996, with the first human cases appearing shortly thereafter, with most infections originating in contact with infected bords. Since then, nearly 1,000 human infections have been documented worldwide.

The statement from the Andhra Pradesh government noted that only four other cases of human avian influenza (H5N1 and H9N2) have been reported in India over the past five years: one each from Maharashtra in June 2019 and Haryana in July 2021, and two from West Bengal in April and May 2024.

In the case of H5N1, the July 2021 case was the last known infection and fatality. It involved an 11-year-old boy from Gurugram in the National Capital Region who was being treated for acute myeloid leukemia at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. The child died on July 12, 2021 after developing multiorgan dysfunction.

In that case, family interviews revealed that the child frequently visited a family-owned poultry business, suggesting possible exposure to birds with undetected infection, although no infected domestic or wild avian sources had been reported in the area at that time.

In recent days, experts have said they are tracking the virus closely. “In 2022, a new subtype of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b emerged in North America and spread to domestic poultry and many wild mammal species. Over the past year, this subtype has also been spreading in dairy cows,” professor Jeremy Luban of UMass Chan Medical School said during the Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness (MassCPR) in March.

“The virus diversified as it replicated in birds, and migratory bird species spread multiple subtypes around the planet,” Luban noted.

This expansion into new species—particularly the jump to dairy cattle—is at the heart of the concerns since they signal the virus’s adaptive capabilities. While most recent human cases have been mild and there has been no confirmed human-to-human transmission, experts have pointed to documented human-to-cat spread, suggesting humans can transmit the virus under certain conditions. No cat-to-human transmission, however, has been recorded.

Health officials continue to advise the public to cook poultry and eggs thoroughly, avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, and practise good hand hygiene, especially after handling raw poultry products.

The Andhra Pradesh health department has urged residents to report unusual bird deaths and to seek immediate medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms after contact with birds or poultry.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2yearold-girl-dies-due-to-bird-flu-in-andhra-101743620685706.html