First Human H5N2 Bird Flu Fatality: Man From Mexico Dies Due to Avian Flu Strain Not Previously Detected in Humans

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A man from Mexico ended up dying in what is considered the first confirmed human case of the H5N2 bird flu variant.

The 59-year-old man passed away after having shortness of breath, fever, diarrhea, and nausea.

Man Dies Due to H5N2 Bird Flu Strain

The man reportedly had no exposure history to poultry or other animals. He also had multiple underlying conditions.

According to the World Health Organization, his case was the first lab-confirmed human case of the A(H5N2) bird flu strain that was globally reported. On May 23, the confirmed case was reported by health authorities in Mexico to the UN health body after carrying out lab tests.

According to a statement issued by the Health Ministry of Mexico, the man who passed away was 59 years old and had a history of type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and long-standing systemic arterial hypertension.

The statement also noted that there are no associated contagion risks. All samples that were taken from the patient's identified contacts have all tested negative.

Authorities are looking into the farms close to the home of the victim. They have also established a monitoring system in order to find other wildlife cases within the area.

ALSO READ: Third Human H5N1 Bird Flu Case in US Is First To Experience Respiratory Symptoms

H5N2 Bird Flu Variant

The exact exposure source still remains a mystery. However, the variant has been previously reported in poultry in Mexico.

In March, the variant was picked up at a backyard poultry farm in Michoacan state. Other outbreaks have also been identified in the state of Mexico.

However, concluding an association between poultry infections and the human case was quite impossible. The UN health body estimated that the risks posed to people were low.

Farms also vaccinate their animals in order to combat the virus.

Influenza A Viruses

Influenza A viruses are the only ones that are linked to flu pandemics among humans. Hence, their presence among people and animals is quite concerning.

These viruses are categorized into subtypes according to the proteins that are present on their surface. These could be neuraminidase (N) and hemagglutinin (H).

For N subtypes, there are a total of 11 different ones. There are 18 kinds of H subtypes. They show up in combination scores.

Among humans, H1N1 and H3N2 are common seasonal flu causes. Various versions can also be observed among animals.

Lately, US scientists have been concerned about the H5N1 variant. While this variant was mainly observed among birds, it has been detected in various mammals in recent years.

This variant was first detected in 1959. However, it only became worrisome when Hong Kong saw an outbreak in 1997 that involved grave illnesses and deaths among humans.

Since then, H5N1 cases among humans have continued. A huge chunk of these cases involved direct contact between ill animals and people.

There have been more than 460 reported deaths among humans since the year 2003. This is based on statistics from the WHO, which suggest that it could kill up to half of the people who are reportedly infected.