In an alarming development, a 59-year-old man in Mexico has succumbed to a rare strain of bird flu known as H5N2, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks the first documented human infection with this particular strain.
The mode of transmission for this case remains unknown, as the deceased did not have any known contact with poultry or other animals. However, three outbreaks of H5N2 have been reported in poultry in nearby areas of Mexico in March. Authorities have been unable to establish a direct connection between these outbreaks and the human case.
The WHO has issued an alert, urging health officials to be vigilant for any potential spread or mutation of the virus. Scientists are particularly concerned as more mammal species have been contracting bird flu viruses in recent times, raising concerns about the potential for the virus to adapt to humans.
Mexican health officials are currently monitoring birds near a shallow lake on the outskirts of Mexico City, where the man resided. They are also conducting investigations to determine the source of infection and identify any potential contacts who may have been exposed.
The WHO has assessed the risk to the general population in Mexico as low, as no additional human cases have been detected so far. Nevertheless, health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urging people to maintain good hygiene practices, particularly those working with or in close proximity to poultry.
The emergence of this rare strain of bird flu in a human highlights the importance of continued surveillance and research to understand the potential risks posed by avian influenza viruses and prevent their spread to humans.
