WHO confirms first human death due to bird flu
An individual with past health complications who had contracted bird flu died in Mexico in April, and the source of infection was unknown, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
According to WHO, the present risk of bird flu virus in the general population is minimal.
The 59-year-old State of Mexico citizen was hospitalized in Mexico City and died on April 24 after suffering from fever, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, nausea, and general discomfort, according to WHO.
Also read: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and others congratulate PM Modi, on winning the third Lok Sabha Election
‘Source of exposure to the virus is unknown’
“Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, A(H5N2) viruses have been reported in poultry in Mexico”, WHO said in a statement.
According to the WHO, it was the first laboratory-confirmed human case of influenza A(H5N2) virus infection worldwide, as well as the first avian H5 virus recorded in a person in Mexico.
Scientists said the instance is unrelated to the outbreak of H5N1 avian flu in the United States, which has afflicted three dairy farm workers.
According to a statement from Mexico’s Health Ministry, the source of the infection has yet to be discovered.
According to the WHO, the victim had no history of exposure to chickens or other animals, although he did have many underlying medical issues and had been bedridden for three weeks previous to the onset of acute symptoms.
According to Mexico’s health ministry, the victim suffered from chronic kidney illness and type 2 diabetes.
Also read: Chang’e-6: China’s Momentous Mission to unveil Far Side of the Moon
Outbreak of A(H5N2) reported in Mexico in March
In March, Mexico’s authorities reported an outbreak of A(H5N2) in an isolated family unit in the western state of Michoacan. The ministry stated that the cases did not pose a risk to distant commercial agriculture or human health.
Following the April death, Mexican authorities confirmed the presence of the virus and notified the WHO, according to the agency.
Mexico’s Health Ministry stated that there was no evidence of person-to-person transmission in the case, and farms near the victim’s home were monitored.
Other people in contact with the person tested negative for bird flu, according to the health ministry and the World Health Organization.
Bird flu has infected mammals such as seals, raccoons, bears, and cattle, primarily through contact with diseased birds.
