Tag: Bird Flu

Mexico man dies from first human case of bird flu strain H5N2

A 59-year-old man in Mexico has died from a strain of bird flu known as H5N2, marking the first human case of this virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the man, who was hospitalized in Mexico City, succumbed to the virus on April 24 after experiencing symptoms including fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and general discomfort.

The WHO stated that the source of the man’s infection remains unclear, although H5N2 has been detected in poultry in Mexico. Despite this, the current risk to the general population is considered low. The UN agency emphasized that there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission in this case, and all individuals who had contact with the deceased have tested negative.

In March, an outbreak of H5N2 was reported in a family unit in Michoacan, but it was deemed no threat to distant commercial farms or human health. Following the man’s death, Mexican authorities confirmed the presence of the virus and reported the case to the WHO.

First human case of avian flu in Texas sparks concern

Politico is reporting that the detection of avian flu in a Texas dairy worker represents the initial confirmed instance of human infection with the illness in the United States, which has already afflicted cattle across multiple states in recent weeks.

This singular case, only the second recorded instance of H5N1 in the nation, has stirred unease among public health specialists who have long warned about the potential threat of avian flu. Authorities have identified only this one case, with no indication of human-to-human transmission. The worker’s illness is mild, and recovery is anticipated. 

The CDC, FDA, and USDA confirmed that the virus was detected in a Michigan dairy herd that had received cows from herds in Texas. The strain in Michigan closely resembles those in Texas and Kansas, believed to have originated from wild birds.

While initial tests haven’t indicated changes making the virus more transmissible to humans, federal agencies continue monitoring the situation closely. Stockpiles of vaccines targeting avian flu are maintained, with the possibility of increased production depending on the situation’s progression.

The emergence of avian influenza in cows underscores the necessity of heightened surveillance among farmworkers and dairy employees, as the virus continues to pose a persistent threat, echoing concerns that have persisted for over two decades.

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