Coahuila, Mexico - February 28, 2024

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday reported the world's first death from AH5N2 avian influenza, which was reportedly detected in a laboratory in Mexico.

According to official information, the victim was a 59-year-old man who died on 24 April. The source of exposure to the virus, which has been reported in poultry in Mexico, is unknown.
First human death from bird flu
"This is the first laboratory-confirmed human case of influenza A(H5N2) virus infection reported globally, and the first A(H5) virus infection reported in a person in Mexico," the WHO said on its website.
According to the agency, the man, who resided in the central state of Mexico, had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals.
It explained that on 23 May, Mexican health authorities informed WHO of the confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus.
According to family members, the patient had already been bedridden due to other health conditions, but on 17 May he developed fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhoea, nausea and general malaise.

On 24 April, he sought medical attention and was admitted to the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases 'Ismael Cosio Villegas' (INER), where "he died the same day due to complications of his condition".
The case is reported after the H5N1 avian influenza virus has spread in recent weeks in dairy cows in the United States, Mexico's neighbouring country.

And while three human cases have been reported in Mexico so far this year, US health officials have clarified that none of the infections are linked to the virus outbreak in cows.

The virus, identified as H5N1, is a subtype of avian influenza that is highly contagious among birds.

In late March, it emerged that dairy cows in Texas and Kansas were infected with bird flu and, days later, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials confirmed cases in a herd of Michigan dairy cows that had recently been in contact with Texas cows.

In Mexico, on 5 April, the National Service for Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (Senasica) declared the country free of AH5N2 avian influenza and said the virus had been absent for more than 25 years, with the last corroborated case in commercial production dating back to 5 June 1995.

SHOTLIST:
1. various from industrial poultry farms (Feb 28, 2024);
2. various from wild birds (Feb 28, 2024);
3. various from dead birds (Feb 28, 2024);
4. various wild birds (Feb 28, 2024).