The primary lethal human case of a subtype of chook flu has been confirmed in Mexico, the World Well being Group introduced Wednesday.
On Might 23, Mexican well being authorities reported the loss of life to the WHO, marking the primary human loss of life from the avian influenza A(H5N2) virus, in accordance with a WHO information launch.
A 59-year-old Mexican resident had developed a fever, shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea and malaise by April 17, officers mentioned. The unnamed particular person was hospitalized in Mexico Metropolis on April 24 and died that very same day. Notably, the particular person had underlying medical situations and had been bedridden for 3 weeks for different illnesses earlier than the brand new signs appeared, members of the family instructed well being officers.
The supply of deadly publicity is unknown, however the virus had beforehand been detected in poultry in Mexico. Based on the WHO, the present threat to the overall inhabitants is low primarily based on a latest evaluation.
“Accessible epidemiological and virological proof means that A(H5) viruses from earlier occasions haven’t acquired the power to maintain transmission between people, thus the present chance of sustained human-to-human unfold is low,” the WHO mentioned.
No different people contaminated with this pressure of chook flu had been discovered throughout the WHO’s investigation. Twenty-nine individuals who got here in touch with the contaminated particular person, both within the hospital or within the particular person’s neighborhood, examined detrimental for the flu and for COVID-19.
The chook flu subtype was initially detected in March in a yard poultry farm in Michoacán, the state bordering the one the place the contaminated particular person lived, in accordance with officers.
Well being authorities are persevering with to watch individuals who had contact with the contaminated particular person, anticipating flu outbreaks in neighboring municipalities and urging environmental and animal well being officers to look at for infections in poultry and wild birds close to the place the affected person lived.
Based on the WHO, folks have caught chook flu by way of direct contact with contaminated birds or “contaminated environments.” The infections could trigger higher respiratory tract infections that may be deadly, in addition to conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal signs, encephalitis and encephalopathy, the WHO says.
At this level, there aren’t any authorised vaccines for people to guard in opposition to chook flu, though some candidates are in growth.
