Confirmed H5N2 Bird Flu First Fatal Human Case Confirmed By WHO

A 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico has died from bird flu in the first confirmed case of a human infected with the H5N2 variant, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Wednesday. The patient passed away on April 24 after experiencing fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea. Despite having no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, the individual had multiple underlying medical conditions, including chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes, according to a statement from Mexico's health ministry.

This case marks the first laboratory-confirmed human infection with an influensa A(H5N2) virus globally and the first avian H5 virus reported in a person in Mexico.

In March, H5N2 cases were detected in a backyard poultry farm in Michoacan state, with other outbreaks identified in the State of Mexico. However, establishing a link between the human case and poultry infections has been challenging. The WHO estimates the risk to the general population as "low."

Should India Worry?

At the moment there aren’t any such cases reported in India and WHOs estimate that the risk to the general population is low, is a sign of relief.