Man With Existing Health Condition Who Contracted H5N2 Bird Flu Dies In Mexico, WHO Reports

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a Mexican man with existing health problems and infected with the H5N2 strain of avian flu died. However, they emphasized that there was still little risk to the general population from the virus.

Bird Flu And Existing Health Conditions

The 59-year-old passed away in Mexico City in April, the global health agency said, following the onset of symptoms such as fever, dyspnea, diarrhea, and nausea.

According to his relatives, the man had been bedridden for three weeks due to numerous reasons prior to the onset of his acute symptoms.

A statement from Mexico's public health authorities noted that the patient had high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic renal failure, among other underlying medical issues.

He visited the hospital on April 24 and died there on the same day. The WHO reports that after several weeks of laboratory work, preliminary testing identified an unknown strain of flu, which turned out to be A (H5N2).

The agency further stated that it was the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with an influenza A (H5N2) virus, which has been reported globally.

According to American influenza specialist Andrew Pekosz of Johns Hopkins University, the individual was "at risk of more severe influenza" because of his past medical issues.

However, there "is a big question mark" on how this person became infected.

According to the WHO, there is no recognized source of viral exposure, despite reports of H5N2 infections in Mexican poultry. 

So far, investigators have not been able to link if there is a connection or possible viral exposure when it comes to the man's residence and a backyard chicken farm lcoated in Michoacan State, which borders Mexico State. 

Despite evaluating those who had contact with the deceased at home and in the hospital, the agency reported that no new cases of human infection had been discovered.

The WHO had made an assessment that the current risk posed by the said virus to the general population is low based on the available information.

Furthermore, no risk of contagion for the population was declared by Mexico's Ministry of Health, which added that "all samples from identified contacts [of the patient] have been negative."

Read Also: US Bird Flu Alert: Epidemiologists Warn US is 'Unprepared' for Potential Widespread Outbreak

Bird Flu Strain

Experts mentioned that the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has infected three dairy farm workers in the United States, is unrelated to the case that was recently reported in Mexico.

A history of bird flu outbreaks from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that other bird flu variants have killed people all across the world in the previous years. The number includes 18 people in China during an H5N6 outbreak in the country in 2021.

Pekosz noted that more than any other avian influenza virus, the H5 viruses have consistently shown its tendency to infect most mammals since the year 1997. 

He emphasized that this continues to ring that warning bell that the public should be very vigilant about monitoring for these infections. Further, Pekosz stressed that every spillover is an opportunity for the said virus to accumulate those mutations.

Later, it was found that these mutations can infect humans.

Because of interaction with infected birds, cases of bird flu have already been found in mammals, including cattle, raccoons, seals, and bears.

In May, Australia declared the first-ever instance of H5N1 infection in a human, adding that no evidence of transmission was present.

So far, authorities said they have discovered more H7 bird flu cases among the poultry, which are situated in Victoria State farms.

Related Article: Second Human Case of Bird Flu Detected, Linked to Dairy Cow Outbreak