WHO Confirms World’s First Human Death From H5N2 Variant Bird Flu in Mexico

Mexico City: The World Health Organization(WHO) announced on Wednesday that a person in Mexico, who had pre-existing health conditions and contracted bird flu, died in April. The source of the virus exposure remains unknown. The 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico had been hospitalized in Mexico City and died on April 24 after developing a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general discomfort, WHO added. “This is the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with an influenza A(H5N2) virus reported globally and the first avian H5 virus infection in a person reported in Mexico,” WHO said in a statement.

WHO Confirms World’s First Human Death From H5N2 Variant Bird Flu in Mexico

On May 23, 2024, the Mexico IHR NFP reported to PAHO/WHO a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus detected in a 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico who was hospitalized in Mexico City and had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals. The case had multiple underlying medical conditions. The case’s relatives reported that the case had already been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms.

Earlier in March 2024, a high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N2) outbreak was detected in a backyard poultry farm in the state of Michoacán, which borders the State of Mexico where the case was residing. Animal influenza viruses typically circulate among animals but can also infect humans. Infections in humans are primarily acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Influenza A viruses can be classified based on their original host as avian influenza, swine influenza, or other types of animal influenza viruses.