Suspect H5N1 Fatality in Nadia West Bengal
Recombinomics Commentary 20:40
January 21, 2008
Selim Malick Sheikh (9), a class III student of Mira Sahid Swaran Primary School of Kadamtalapara in Plassey in Kaliganj block of Nadia died on the night of 19 January within 48 hours after consuming sick chickens cooked at home. He died on his way to Beliaghata ID Hospital.
State health minister Dr Surjya Kanta Mishra said: “This is not a case of a human death caused by avian flu. No such case has been reported in the state so far.”
The above comments describe a suspect H5N1 fatality in India. Although it is unlikely that consuming H5N1 infected chicken would cause death within 48 hours, exposure prior to the meal is likely (see satellite map). H5N1 has been widespread in Nadia for some time, although initial government characterizations were New Castle Disease. Although initial rapid tests were negative, H5N1 was subsequently confirmed for Nadia, and poultry deaths as well as the death of wild birds and a dog have been reported.
The H5N1 in India is likely to be related to the H5N1 in Pakistan, which was linked to two deaths late last year. Therefore, the statements by the state health minister on the child’s diagnosis and death have no medical or scientific basis. Moreover, the location in Nadia is only 20 mile from the five suspect H5N1 infected cullers.
Testing of the child for H5N1 would be useful.
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