A New Strain of Bird Flu Found in Mexico
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently made a shocking discovery. They found that a strain of bird flu known as H5N2 was responsible for the death of a man in Mexico. This is the first time that this particular strain of bird flu has ever been discovered in a human being. It is still unclear how the individual became infected, but A(H5N2) viruses have been found in poultry in Mexico, according to the WHO.
Experts in the field are closely monitoring the virus for any changes that could indicate it is becoming more easily transmissible among humans. However, at this point, the UN agency says that Mexico’s population is not at risk from bird flu.
The 59-year-old man who died in Mexico City experienced several symptoms before his death, including a temperature, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and overall discomfort. The Mexican Ministry of Health stated that there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of bird flu in this case and that the deceased man had preexisting health issues. All those who had contact with him tested negative for the virus.
In March, there was an outbreak of A(H5N2) in a family unit in Michoacan, Mexico. However, the government assured that the outbreak did not pose a threat to human health or to commercial farms located farther away.
The Mexican authorities confirmed the existence of the virus after the death in April and reported the case to the WHO. In neighboring regions of Mexico, there were three outbreaks of H5N2 in poultry in March, but a direct connection between the outbreaks has not been established.
It’s important to note that the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in the US, which has infected three dairy farm workers, is unrelated to the case in Mexico. Scientists who investigated the matter made this clear.
Bird flu outbreaks have caused deaths worldwide in previous years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, various strains of bird flu have been responsible for these deaths. For example, there were 18 deaths in China during an outbreak of H5N6.
Andrew Pekosz, an influenza expert at Johns Hopkins University, explained that H5 viruses have consistently shown a preference for infecting mammals more than any other avian influenza virus since 1997. This is why he emphasizes the need for vigilance in monitoring these infections. Each spillover event is an opportunity for the virus to acquire changes that make it better at infecting humans.
Interestingly, mammals such as seals, raccoons, bears, and cattle have also contracted bird flu. This is mainly because these animals came into contact with infected birds.
In May, Australia reported the first human case of A(H5N1) infection. However, there were no signs of transmission of the virus. On the other hand, there have been more cases of H7 bird flu discovered in poultry farms in Victoria.
In conclusion, while the discovery of H5N2 in a human in Mexico is concerning, it is crucial to remain vigilant and closely monitor the virus for any changes. The WHO and experts in the field are working diligently to understand the risks and take necessary precautions to prevent further transmission.