The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the death of a man due to the H5N2 strain of bird flu that had not been previously detected in humans.
The case was detected by a laboratory in Mexico and the Government ruled out the risk of contagion for the population and reported that no more cases have been detected in humans so far.
While the WHO said it was unclear how the person became infected, H5N2 had already been recorded in poultry in Mexico.
There are numerous types of avian flu. H5N2 is not the same strain that has infected several dairy cow herds in the United States. That strain is called H5N1, and three farm workers have contracted mild infections.
Other strains of bird flu have killed people around the world in previous years, including 18 people in China during an H5N6 outbreak in 2021, according to a timeline of bird flu outbreaks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. from the United States.
The victim is a 59-year-old man with a history of chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, who died on April 24, the same day he was admitted to a public hospital in the central State of Mexico, neighboring the capital, the Mexican Government said in a statement.
“Exhaustive epidemiological surveillance was carried out in the area of residence of the infected person to detect any possible case of contagion in one or more other people,” the document detailed. “So far there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission,” she added.
The WHO explained that the patient died after presenting fever, respiratory distress, diarrhea, nausea and general malaise. Initial tests showed an unidentified type of flu that subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed to be H5N2.
There had been three outbreaks of H5N2 in poultry in nearby areas of Mexico in March, but authorities have been unable to find a link. Mexican authorities are also monitoring the birds near a shallow lake outside Mexico City.
Whenever bird flu circulates among poultry, there is a risk that people in close contact with the birds could become infected. Health authorities are closely monitoring any signs that viruses are evolving to spread easily from person to person, and experts are concerned as more mammal species contract bird flu viruses.
Different strain than the one reported in the US
In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that the H5N1 strain of bird flu was detected in dairy cows in at least eight states, and in April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that samples of pasteurized milk had tested positive for traces of the virus.
In addition, people have been diagnosed with bird flu after coming into contact with presumably infected cows, but health officials stressed that the risk to the public remains low.
Since then, health authorities in the US have placed surveillance throughout the country.
According to recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “H5 avian influenza is widespread among wild birds around the world and is causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows in the United States. with several cases of H5 in American dairy farm workers.
“While the current risk to public health is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people exposed to animals,” he said.
He reported that 4 cases have been reported in the US since 2022; three after exposure to dairy cows and 1 after contact with poultry.
recommendations
The CDC recommends the following:
-Avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them from a distance, if possible.
-Avoid contact with dead or sick-looking wild birds or domestic birds and call to report the presence of sick or dead birds.
-Avoid unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or contaminated surfaces.
-In the United States, it is safe to eat cooked and properly handled poultry. There are recommendations regarding products derived from other animals with H5N1 infections, such as cattle and milk.
-CDC does not currently recommend any restrictions on travel to countries affected by avian influenza in birds, other animals, or people.
-Vaccination against seasonal influenza does not prevent infection with avian influenza viruses, but may reduce the risk of infection with human influenza viruses and, consequently, the risk of co-infection with avian influenza and seasonal influenza.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our YouTube channels, WhatsApp and the newsletter. Activate notifications and follow us on Facebook, x and Instagram.
