The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that a 59-year-old resident of Mexico had died from a laboratory-confirmed case of A(H5N2) avian influenza, marking the first reported human infection with this subtype globally and the first H5 virus infection in Mexico.
The victim, who had no known exposure to poultry or other animals, developed symptoms including fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and general discomfort before passing away on April 24.
The individual had multiple underlying medical conditions and had been bedridden for three weeks prior to the onset of acute symptoms due to reasons unrelated to the avian influenza infection.
This case is significant as it highlights the potential risk of human infection with the A(H5N2) subtype of bird flu, which has been reported in poultry in Mexico.
