Mexico City, Mexico – The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the death of a man in Mexico from a novel strain of bird flu called H5N2, marking the first known case of this particular virus affecting a human.
According to WHO statements on Wednesday, the source of the man’s exposure to the virus remains unclear. Although A(H5N2) viruses have been detected in poultry in Mexico, the exact origin of the man’s infection is still unknown. Experts are closely monitoring any changes in the virus that may indicate a potential adaptation for easier human-to-human transmission.
Despite the concerning nature of this case, the WHO assured on Wednesday that the current risk of the bird flu virus to the general population in Mexico is relatively low. The 59-year-old man who succumbed to the illness in Mexico City displayed symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and general discomfort before his death on April 24.
Mexico’s health ministry has emphasized that there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of bird flu in this case. Additionally, all individuals who came into contact with the deceased man have tested negative for the virus, the ministry stated.
In March, Mexico reported an outbreak of A(H5N2) within a family unit in Michoacan state, but authorities reassured that it posed no threat to commercial farms or human health at that time. Following the man’s death in April, Mexican authorities promptly alerted the WHO about the virus’s presence and the confirmed case.
Although there were three separate outbreaks of H5N2 in nearby areas of Mexico in March, officials have not been able to establish a direct link between them. Scientists also clarified that the Mexican case is distinct from the outbreak of a different strain of bird flu, H5N1, that affected dairy farm workers in the United States.
The incident in Mexico underscores the ongoing global concern about the potential spillover of avian influenza viruses into human populations. As various strains of bird flu continue to pose a threat, experts like Andrew Pekosz from Johns Hopkins University stress the importance of vigilant monitoring to prevent further infections and potential mutations that could enhance human-to-human transmission. Cases of bird flu have been identified in various mammal species, raising additional concerns about cross-species transmission.
In light of recent developments, countries worldwide are increasing surveillance and preventive measures to mitigate the risks associated with avian influenza. The detection of bird flu cases in diverse species underscores the complex nature of the virus and the need for proactive measures to prevent future outbreaks.