The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the first human death caused by a previously unconfirmed strain of bird flu – called H5N2 – in Mexico.
The man’s infection with H5N2 has never before been found in humans.
Driving the news: The source of the man’s infection remains unclear, although H5N2 has been detected in poultry in Mexico.
- H5N2 is a different strain from the H5N1 strain that has affected dairy cow herds in the U.S.
- Previous outbreaks of various bird flu strains, such as H5N6, have led to human deaths in other countries, including China.
The big picture: Mexican health officials alerted the WHO about the 59-year-old man who died in a Mexico City hospital from the virus.
- He had no known exposure to poultry or other animals.
- The man had underlying ailments, including chronic kidney failure, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Initial tests indicated an unidentified type of flu, which subsequent laboratory testing confirmed as H5N2.
Go deeper: The WHO has stated that the risk to people in Mexico is low, and no further human cases have been discovered at this time.
- Although there were poultry outbreaks of H5N2 in nearby parts of Mexico, authorities have not been able to establish a connection.
