World Health Organization reports first human fatality from avian influenza

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on June 5 that Mexico reported the first confirmed fatal case of a human infected with avian influenza A(H5N2) across the globe.

The virus was detected in a 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico, who was hospitalized in Mexico City. The patient had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, WHO said.

The patient had multiple underlying medical conditions, and, according to their relatives, they had been bedridden for three weeks prior to the onset acute symptoms for other reasons.

The source of exposure to the virus remains unknown.

According to WHO, a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak was reported in a backyard poultry farm in March in Michoacán, which borders the patient’s residence. Additionally, that same month, an outbreak of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) was identified in poultry in the State of Mexico as well as a second outbreak of LPAI in April in the same state.

“Thus far, it has not been possible to establish if this human case is related to the recent poultry outbreaks,” WHO said.

No additional human cases were reported during the epidemiological investigation. Of the 17 persons identified to have been in contact with the patient, none of them have tested positive for avian influenza.

WHO assessed the current risk to the general population posed by this virus as low.