Mexico experiences its first recorded H5N2 death, according to the WHO.
A recent wave of bird flu viruses is making its way across the globe, with humans falling ill as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first fatality from this virus in Mexico, indicating a different type of bird flu has surfaced.
Reports indicate a person in Mexico has succumbed to a bird flu virus labeled A (H5N2). WHO officials in Geneva affirmed the discovery after conducting thorough laboratory analyses. Over the past decade and a half, starting from 2003, the WHO documented 463 deaths from H5N1 bird flu infections - all occurring in 23 countries.
Infections due to bird flu viruses must be reported, yet not all cases of symptoms like respiratory issues or diarrhea are investigated. Moreover, laboratories often lack the capacity to detect viruses, making it likely that not each reported case reaches the WHO.
The WHO urges vigilance, asking nations to pay close attention to any clusters of illnesses. There seems little risk to the general population, according to the organization.
A Groundbreaking Development in Mexico
This is the first reported death from bird flu in Mexico. The 59-year-old individual experienced other health conditions beforehand but, after weeks of illness, developed high fever and difficulty breathing. They were admitted to a hospital and passed away on April 24. Presently, there's no evidence suggesting they were in contact with infected fowl or other birds. No further infections have developed in family members, associates, or healthcare workers who interacted with the deceased.
Bird flu typically spreads by contact with infected birds. However, it can occasionally pass from person to person. The US Health Authority CDC mentions only a handful of such instances, all characterized by mild symptoms. Still, the risk lingers that these viruses could transform into more transmissible ones. Vaccine candidates have been created, only to be readied for further development if a pandemic arises.
In Mexico, bird flu has been detected in a few poultry farms. As early as March, an A(H5N2) outbreak was spotted in a backyard poultry farm in the state of Michoacán - neighbouring the state where the now-deceased person resided.
Read also:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged global countries to prioritize education and awareness about infectious diseases like avian flu, following the first recorded H5N2 death in Mexico.
- Despite Mexico being free from reported human-to-human transmission of avian flu viruses, such as H5N2, officials are actively monitoring for any outbreaks in bird populations, particularly near poultry farms.
- Concerns surrounding avian flu and its potential impact on the global population have led the WHO to invest in research and development of vaccine candidates, ensuring a rapid response in the event of a pandemic caused by these influenza viruses transmitted between birds and humans.
