Government or health organization announcements

WHO Confirms First Fatal Human Case of H5N2 Bird Flu in 59-Year-Old in Mexico

Jun 5, 2024, 08:19 PM

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first-ever fatal human case of avian influenza A(H5N2) virus, resulting in the death of a 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico. The patient, who had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, was ill for three weeks before hospitalization and had multiple comorbidities. The patient developed a fever and shortness of breath before dying in Mexico City. This case marks the first laboratory-confirmed human infection with the H5N2 strain, which has previously been reported in poultry in Mexico. The WHO has warned that this new strain of bird flu has the potential for high public health impact.