Australia reports first human case of bird flu in child who contracted it in India

Australia on Wednesday recorded its first human case of avian influenza, colloquially known as bird flu, in a child who authorities said contracted the infection in India, reported Reuters.

The case was reported from the country’s southeastern state of Victoria. Avian influenza is caused by the H5N1 influenza virus.

The Victorian Department of Health said that the “child experienced a severe infection but is no longer unwell and has made a full recovery”. The child had returned to Australia “from overseas” in March, the agency said in a statement.