Mexico: The World Health Organization said that the first verified instance of a human infection with the H5N2 form occurred in Mexico, where a person died from bird flu. The WHO noted in a statement that the 59-year-old had “no history of exposure to poultry or other animals” and “multiple underlying medical conditions” before she passed away on April 24. She had also experienced fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea.
According to the statement, the State of Mexico resident passed away on the same day after being admitted to the hospital in Mexico City. As to the WHO, this is the first laboratory-confirmed human case of influenza A (H5N2) virus infection that has been reported worldwide.
Following laboratory testing, Mexican health officials notified the UN health organization of the verified case on May 23. The WHO said that while instances of H5N2 have been detected in poultry in Mexico, the source of the virus’s exposure remained unclear.
“A 59-year-old man with a history of chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and long-standing systemic arterial hypertension” was the deceased, according to a statement from Mexico’s health ministry. “All samples from identified contacts (of the patient) have been negative,” the statement said, adding that “there is no risk of contagion for the population.”
According to the statement, authorities have set up a permanent monitoring system to find any further instances of the local animals and are keeping an eye on farms close to the victim’s residence. H5N1, a distinct strain of bird flu, has been circulating in dairy cow herds in the US for many weeks, with a few human cases documented. However, officials have said that the illness is not spreading from person to person in any of the instances; rather, it is mostly affecting livestock.
