A tragic and unprecedented case of H5N2 avian flu has recently claimed the life of a man in Mexico. It's the first time such an infection has caused a human death, marking a significant moment in the monitoring of zoonotic diseases.
Illustrative image from Unsplash
Although authorities initially confirmed that the man died as a result of this infection, an update from the World Health Organization (
WHO) indicates that the cause of death is likely related to his underlying medical conditions. However, the details of these conditions remain unclear.
Regardless, this event highlights the ability of H5N2 to infect humans. The virus belongs to the H5 family, which also includes H5N1, currently circulating among dairy cattle in the United States. H5N1 is known to cause severe infections in humans, with a high mortality rate.
The spread of avian flu to humans is concerning, as each transmission provides an opportunity for the virus to mutate and potentially gain the ability to spread easily between humans. To date, no A(H5) virus has shown this capability, but the risk persists.
The Mexican patient, aged 59, exhibited various symptoms before seeking medical attention. A sample of his respiratory fluids revealed the presence of H5N2, similar to a strain detected in birds in Texcoco, Mexico, this year. This virus is generally low-pathogenic in birds but has triggered outbreaks in several Mexican states.
No evidence suggests that the virus has spread to other individuals. The WHO has confirmed that public health recommendations remain unchanged but emphasizes that caution is necessary, particularly by avoiding sick or dead animals and regularly washing hands.