6-6-2024 (MEXICO CITY) In a sobering development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first-ever fatal human case of the H5N2 subtype of bird flu, or avian influenza, in Mexico. This grim milestone marks the first laboratory-confirmed human infection with this particular strain globally and the inaugural case reported in the country.
The tragic victim was a 59-year-old Mexican resident with no known exposure to poultry or other animals, according to the WHO. The patient’s ordeal began on April 17 with the onset of fever, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and general malaise. Their condition deteriorated rapidly, necessitating hospitalization at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases in Mexico City on April 24, where they tragically succumbed to the illness the same day.
Relatives of the deceased revealed that the individual had underlying medical conditions, including chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and long-term systemic arterial hypertension, and had been bedridden for three weeks prior to contracting the bird flu virus.
The shocking revelation of the H5N2 strain’s ability to infect humans came to light through rigorous testing, as initial results pointed to this unprecedented case. No further infections have been documented during the ensuing health officials’ investigation, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the concerning development.
Of the 17 individuals who came into contact with the patient at the hospital, only one reported a runny nose in late April, with subsequent samples testing negative for influenza and COVID-19. Twelve additional contacts – seven with symptoms and five without – were identified in the vicinity of the patient’s residence. Nasal, throat, and blood samples were collected, with the former two testing negative for COVID-19, while the results of the blood tests are still pending.
Mexico’s Ministry of Health has assured the public that “all samples from identified contacts have been negative” for the H5N2 strain, echoing the WHO’s assessment that the current risk to the general population remains low.
Nonetheless, this landmark case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving nature of influenza viruses and the critical importance of continued surveillance in both animal and human populations. As Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, eloquently stated, “This first case is a wake-up call. It reminds us that influenza viruses can evolve, and continued surveillance of these viruses in both animals and humans is crucial.”
While the H5N2 and H5N1 strains belong to the same influenza A virus family, the latter has been known to infect humans for years, underscoring the novelty and potential risks associated with the H5N2 strain’s ability to cross the species barrier.
