A rare strain of bird flu has been detected in a human, prompting the World Health Organization to issue a warning about the potential impact on public health. The patient, a 59-year-old man in Mexico, died after a seven-day illness that included symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea. Testing revealed that he was infected with H5N2, a strain never before detected in humans.
Despite the severity of the illness in this case, officials have stated that the risk to the public is low, as the patient had underlying health conditions. It remains unclear how he became infected with the virus, as he had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals. Authorities noted that a human infection with a novel bird flu virus has the potential for a significant public health impact.
The patient from Mexico City became ill on April 17 but waited a week before seeking medical help due to his symptoms. Close contacts at the hospital and in his community were tested for the virus and all results came back negative. Additional blood tests are being conducted to determine if any individuals had a previous infection.
The source of infection is still unknown but several flocks of poultry recently tested positive for H5N2 virus. The World Health Organization continues to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
