Mexico Man First Human to Die from H5N2 Bird Flu

A 59-year-old Mexico man has died from the H5N2 bird flu virus, the first known human case.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the death, noting the man had underlying health issues and had been bedridden for weeks before showing symptoms like fever and shortness of breath.

Authorities say there is no risk to the wider public, and none of the man's close contacts have contracted the virus, BBC reports.

The source of infection is unclear, but cases have been reported in some poultry farms in Mexico.

Underlying Health Issues

A Mexico man who had chronic kidney failure, diabetes, and high blood pressure has died from the H5N2 bird flu virus, the first confirmed human case globally.

He sought hospital care on April 24 but died the same day.

Initial tests showed an unidentified flu type, later confirmed as H5N2, according to Aljazeera.

The source of infection is unclear, though H5N2 has been reported in Mexican poultry.

An outbreak occurred in a backyard chicken farm in Michoacan state, bordering the man's state, but no direct link has been established.

Authorities tested his contacts at home and in the hospital, all returning negative results, indicating no risk to the general population.

In response, Mexican authorities have set up a monitoring system to detect other cases of wildlife around the man's home.

The WHO and other health agencies are watching for signs of the virus mutating into a form that could spread between humans.

Dr. Ed Hutchinson from the University of Glasgow suggested the infection was likely a spillover event from an infected animal.

Surveillance efforts continue, including testing people who may have been exposed to the virus to check for immune responses.

Global Bird Flu Context

Bird flu, or avian influenza, includes various strains, with H5N2 being one.

While it primarily infects birds, some wild mammals like seals, otters, wild dogs, and foxes can also contract it.

Human cases are rare but possible, AP News noted.

Most patients recover, though certain strains like H5N1 have caused significant concern.

Recently, H5N1 has spread among dairy cow herds in the US, with a few human cases.

In the UK, no new H5N1 cases have been reported since an outbreak among poultry and captive birds prompting the country to declare itself bird-flu-free.

Professor Ian Brown from the Avian Virology Group at the Pirbright Institute reassured that prompt follow-up with healthcare professionals and family members of the infected patient indicates an isolated case.

Andrew Pekosz, an influenza expert at Johns Hopkins University, noted that the Mexico man's underlying health conditions increased his risk of severe influenza, but how he contracted the virus remains unclear.

Pekosz stressed the importance of monitoring these infections, as each spillover event presents an opportunity for the virus to mutate and potentially spread more easily among humans.

The WHO, along with Mexican health authorities, continues to monitor the situation closely.

Farms near the Mexico man's home are under surveillance, and a permanent monitoring system has been established to detect any other cases in local wildlife.

Global health authorities remain vigilant, especially when bird flu circulates in poultry.

Those in close contact with infected flocks are at risk, and experts worry about the virus evolving to spread more easily among humans.

The WHO emphasized that while the current risk to the public remains low, they are prepared to respond swiftly if more human cases arise.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: WHO confirmed a man in Mexico died from the bird flu. Here's what to know - From NBC News