First human case of H5N2 avian flu confirmed in Mexico
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the first laboratory-confirmed case of a human infection with the H5N2 avian flu virus on Wednesday. The infected 59-year-old man from Mexico has died, the statement said.
Mexican medical authorities relayed the information about the patient's death to the WHO on May 23. This is the first laboratory-confirmed case of a human infection with the A(H5N2) flu virus worldwide and the first H5 type infection in a human reported in Mexico, it was emphasized.
The 59-year-old had no contact with birds
The infection route is unknown because the 59-year-old had no contact with birds or other animals. The statement noted that the presence of the H5N2 virus was recently detected in poultry in Mexico.
According to international regulations, a human infection with a new subtype of the A flu virus is a significant public health event; therefore, it must be reported to the WHO - it was written. The threat posed by this virus to the general population is assessed as low.
He had a fever and difficulty breathing
The infected man from the State of Mexico had multiple underlying health conditions, and according to relatives, he had been bedridden for other reasons for three weeks before the onset of acute bird flu symptoms - explained WHO.
On April 17, he developed a fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, and general malaise. On April 24, he went to the doctor and was admitted to a hospital in the capital, Mexico City. He died the same day from complications. Later tests revealed he was infected with the H5N2 virus.
No other infected individuals
During the epidemiological investigation, no other infected individuals were found. However, flu and COVID-19 tests were negative in 17 people who had contact with the deceased in the hospital. Also, 12 different individuals from where the deceased lived were identified. Although seven of these people had symptoms of infection, the tests did not show COVID-19 or any flu in them.
"Alarm bell"
Human infections with other H5 avian flu virus subtypes, including H5N1, H5N6, and H5N8, have been detected before. Available data suggest that viruses did not acquire the ability to transmit from human to human effectively in these cases. Hence, the WHO statement said the risk of the disease spreading in this way is low.
- While both H5N2 and H5N1 belong to the same family of influenza A viruses, H5N1 has been known to infect humans for years, whereas this is the first-ever reported case of H5N2 in humans - said John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital, as quoted by ABC News.
- The good news is that neither H5N2 nor H5N1 have demonstrated human-to-human transmission so far. However, this first case is a wake-up call. It reminds us that influenza viruses can evolve, and continued surveillance of these viruses in both animals and humans is crucial - added Brownstein.
