A 59-year-old man in Mexico has died from a strain of bird flu called H5N2, marking the first known human infection with this strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert, as scientists monitor the virus for signs of adaptation to humans. Despite no known exposure to poultry, the man developed symptoms and later tested positive for H5N2. Health officials are investigating the source of infection and monitoring for further cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first human fatality from the H5N2 variant of bird flu. The patient, a 59-year-old Mexican with underlying health conditions, passed away on April 24th after experiencing fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea. The WHO emphasizes that the patient had no known exposure to poultry or other animals. The source of the infection remains unknown, despite reported H5N2 outbreaks among poultry in Mexico’s Michoacan and State of Mexico regions. The WHO assesses the risk to humans as low, noting that no human-to-human transmission has been detected, unlike the H5N1 variant that has affected dairy cows and a limited number of humans in the United States.
On May 17, various incidents have occurred throughout history that have had a lasting impact on our world. From the LGBTQ+ community’s milestone in 1990 to fierce battles fought in India, let’s delve into some key events that took place on this day.
Republican senators, led by Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, have urged President Biden to reject agreements that would expand the World Health Organization’s (WHO) authority in the event of a global pandemic. The senators, in a letter to Biden, stressed that any such agreement would be considered a treaty, requiring the approval of two-thirds of the Senate. They emphasized that the WHO has failed to perform its basic functions and needs comprehensive reforms before considering any expansion of its authority. Biden has expressed support for the concept of a global agreement, but it’s unclear if he supports the WHO’s proposed treaty.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revised its guidelines on breastfeeding, recommending that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This is a change from the previous recommendation of four to six months.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has issued a dire warning that a Disease X outbreak is a matter of when, not if, urging global leaders to prepare. Meanwhile, health officials in West Virginia have confirmed the first known measles case in the state since 2009. The patient, who had received one dose of the measles vaccine, developed symptoms after traveling abroad. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented over 113 measles cases nationwide this year, raising concerns about the preventable virus. Most U.S. cases are imported by individuals traveling from countries where measles is more common.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report introducing updated terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air. These pathogens include those that cause respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, influenza, measles, MERS, SARS, and tuberculosis. The new terminology was developed through an extensive consultation process involving WHO experts and major public health agencies. This agreement underlines the collective commitment of public health agencies to move forward together on this matter.
