Last June 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first human case of the H5N2 type of bird flu virus that infected a 59-year-old man in Mexico. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an update on this subtype of influenza A virus.
Monitoring and Preventive Measures
CDC is currently in communication with Mexican health authorities regarding the first globally reported human case of bird flu infection. According to a CDC spokesperson, the human infection reported in the country is a different strain of the avian flu virus which currently circulates in the US.
Distinguishing the strains is important since it shows that the H5N2 strain discovered in Mexico may have different characteristics and potential risks compared with the existing variant in the US, where three human cases were reported during the previous months. Such risks are connected to an outbreak of the H5N1 virus in dairy cows, and none of them have been deadly.
CDC also noted that the risk to the members of the public who were not exposed to infected animals remains low. The agency monitors the situation by detecting H5 activity in people in the US using a surveillance system.
According to WHO, the Mexican individual who died from the infection had close contact with poultry, the major source of transmission of bird flu viruses to humans. Health authorities in Mexico also conduct investigations to identify the source of the viral infection and to prevent further spread.
Once identified, the genetic sequence of the bird flu virus discovered in Mexico will be shared by CDC or will be deposited in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). This is a global science initiative which offers open access to genomic data about influenza viruses as well as the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. The agency emphasizes the importance of transparency of information for global health monitoring and response efforts.
In the US, the individuals involved in the three detected cases of H5N1 bird flu have either recovered or are currently in the process of recovery. CDC's surveillance system continues to find any new cases to make sure that the response and containment are timely.
How Fatal Is the New Virus Strain?
Since the mid-1990s, H5 viruses have been circulating among poultry and wild birds in Mexico. Unlike other strains of avian influenza, like H1 and H3, H5 viruses rarely cause infections in humans.
The recent fatality in Mexico has raised concerns regarding the potential for new strains of bird flu viruses to emerge and spread. According to health officials, the risk remains low as long as the general public observes appropriate measures that can help prevent bird-to-human transmission.
Prior to developing symptoms, the man in Mexico had been bedridden for several weeks. On April 17, he developed nausea, fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and general malaise. On April 24, he was hospitalized and died on the same day.
Avian influenza typically affects birds, although it can also occasionally infect humans, especially those who have close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Human infections with bird flu viruses can be mild or severe and can also be fatal in some cases. Both the CDC and WHO highlight the importance of preventive measures, such as maintaining good hygiene practices when handling poultry and avoiding contact with sick or dead birds.
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