The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that a man in Mexico has died from a subtype of avian influenza, in the first laboratory-confirmed human fatality from the strain globally.
Globally, this is the 1st lab-confirmed human case of infection with A(H5N2) subtype of bird flu
The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that a man in Mexico has died from a subtype of avian influenza, in the first laboratory-confirmed human fatality from the strain.
WHO said the 59-year-old had died on April 24 after developing a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general discomfort.
This was the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with A(H5N2) subtype of bird flu reported globally and the first H5 virus infection in a person reported in Mexico.
The victim had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, WHO said. Cases of A(H5N2) subtype of avian influenza have been reported in poultry in Mexico.
The person had multiple underlying medical conditions and had been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms, WHO said.
This is a different strain of bird flu than H5N1, which sickened dairy cows in 10 U.S. states. Three dairy workers have also tested positive with H5N1.