Mexico Bird Flu Death... WHO "Impact of Underlying Conditions"

First H5N2 Infection Death, Presumed Due to Multiple Factors

A man initially confirmed to be infected with the H5N2 avian influenza virus was found to have died due to multiple factors.

On the 7th (local time), Yonhap News, citing AFP, reported that Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO), told reporters in Geneva, Switzerland, "The death was not caused by H5N2 but by multiple factors."

Avian influenza sample testing. [Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

Earlier, WHO announced on the 5th that a human case of H5N2 avian influenza virus infection was reported for the first time in Mexico. On the 7th (local time), the Mexican Ministry of Health stated in an official press release, "The confirmed H5N2 avian influenza patient did not die because of the virus but was confirmed to have died due to septic shock causing multiple organ failure."

The Ministry of Health reaffirmed WHO's analysis that "the risk to the general public is low," adding, "So far, all individuals who had contact with the case have tested negative for the virus, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission."

According to AFP, the man had been bedridden for three weeks before acute symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, and general malaise appeared on April 17. AFP reported that he was transferred to a hospital in Mexico City a week later but died.

Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson, told reporters in Geneva, "The death of the man was not caused by H5N2 but by multiple complex factors."

However, Lindmeier confirmed that H5N2 was detected in the man's body after testing for influenza and other viruses. He stated that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the man was infected by another person or had contact with animals. Twelve contacts were identified at the man's residence in the weeks prior, all of whom tested negative.

Passing citizen at the Mexican Institute of Respiratory Diseases
[Photo by Reuters/Yonhap News]

The H5N2 virus is different from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) confirmed in three people in the United States in March and May this year, who had contact with dairy cattle or worked in the livestock industry.

WHO stated that the H5N2 virus has been reported in poultry in Mexico, but the source of exposure to the virus is unknown. Meanwhile, WHO confirmed that a two-and-a-half-year-old girl tested positive for another type of avian influenza, H5N1, in Australia after returning from India and required intensive hospital care.

WHO added, "It is possible that the girl was exposed in India, where this virus has previously been detected in birds." The girl traveled to Kolkata from February 12 to 29, returned to Australia on March 1, and was admitted to a hospital in southeastern Victoria the following day. She is currently reported to be healthy. WHO stated that no relatives in Australia or India have shown symptoms.