First Human Case of Bird Flu A H5N2 Reported in Mexico

First Human Case of Bird Flu A H5N2 Reported in Mexico. (ANI Photo)

Dil Bar Irshad | June 6, 2024 | 04:46 PM IST | Health, Mexico, World | Follow on Google News

First Human Case of Bird Flu A H5N2 Reported in Mexico

First Human Case of Bird Flu A H5N2 Reported in Mexico

A 59-year-old man in Mexico City has died after contracting a subtype of bird flu, specifically the influenza A (H5N2) virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced. This marks the first confirmed human case of this subtype globally and the first instance of an avian H5 virus infection in a human in Mexico.

Details of the Case:

• Patient Background: The man had several pre-existing health conditions and had been bedridden for three weeks prior to showing symptoms.
• Symptoms: He developed fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and general discomfort.
• Timeline: He was hospitalized and passed away on April 24.

WHO’s Statement:

• Source of Exposure: The source of exposure to the virus remains unknown. While H5N2 has been detected in poultry in Mexico, the patient had no known contact with poultry or other animals.
• Risk Assessment: The WHO considers the risk to the general population to be low.
• Ongoing Investigation: The connection between this human case and recent poultry outbreaks is yet to be determined.

Background on H5N2 in Mexico:

• Recent Poultry Outbreaks:
• In March 2024, a high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N2) outbreak was reported in a backyard poultry farm in Michoacan.
• Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) A(H5N2) outbreaks were identified in Texcoco and Temascalapa in the State of Mexico.

Global Context:

• Australia: The first human case of A (H5N1) was reported in May, with no human-to-human transmission detected. Multiple H7 HPAI strains were also identified in Victoria.
• United States: Since 2022, the H5N1 strain has infected millions of birds and a few farmworkers, though no human-to-human transmission has been documented.

Expert Insights:

• Dr. John Brownstein, Boston Children’s Hospital: Emphasized the importance of monitoring and surveillance of influenza viruses, noting that while H5N2 and H5N1 belong to the same family, H5N1 has a history of human infection, unlike H5N2.

Transmission and Symptoms:

• Animal to Human: Human infections typically occur through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
• Human Impact: Infections can range from mild to severe respiratory illnesses and can be fatal. Other symptoms include conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal issues, encephalitis, and encephalopathy.

Conclusion:
This first confirmed case of H5N2 in a human highlights the need for vigilance and continued monitoring of influenza viruses in both animals and humans to prevent potential outbreaks and ensure public health safety.

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.