In Mexico, a person has died after contracting a strain of bird flu that had not previously been confirmed in humans, according to the World Health Organization. The 59-year-old individual was hospitalized in Mexico City and died a week after developing symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, and diarrhea. This marks the first lab-confirmed case of a person contracting H5N2, raising concerns about a strain that has not received much attention.
The current outbreak of bird flu in US dairy cows is caused by a different strain, H5N1. However, there have been no other cases of H5N2 in humans reported. The WHO states that the current risk posed by the virus to the general public is low. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet commented on the situation.
Mexican authorities notified the WHO of the fatal human case on May 23 after confirming the presence of the virus. It is unclear where the individual was exposed to the virus, but it is known that avian influenza had been reported in poultry in the state where they lived before being bedridden for three weeks due to other reasons before experiencing acute symptoms.
This new development highlights concerns about potential new strains of bird flu that could pose risks to human health and animal welfare alike. It is important to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of this virus.
