H5N2: WHO says patient’s death in Mexico is ‘not linked’ to bird flu | Society

The death of a 59-year-old man in Mexico last April infected with the A(H5N2) strain of avian influenza was not linked to the disease. This was clarified this Friday by a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), after the organization itself attributed the death to the virus.

“It is important to point out that the death was multifactorial and not caused by the H5N2 virus,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a news conference, recalling that the patient arrived at the hospital after suffering from symptoms for weeks and died the same day. , during which he was examined at a medical center (April 24), after which tests were carried out in which he tested positive for the H5N2 virus.

This is the first case of infection with this common avian virus reported in humans, although other subtypes of avian influenza, such as H5N1, have been diagnosed in humans in several countries over the past two decades (about 900 cases, half of them fatal). .

A WHO spokesperson stressed that an investigation into the case is currently ongoing, but did not confirm whether this would lead to a reassessment of the global avian influenza situation. The organization currently believes the health risk of the disease is low, despite growing outbreaks in birds and mammals.

The WHO reported the case in Mexico on Wednesday, June 5, although the next day the Mexican government denied a direct link between the patient’s death and bird flu, accusing the health organization of making a “pretty bad” statement, according to its secretary. Health Jorge Alcocer.

“I might point out that the World Health Organization statement is quite bad because it initially says there was a death, which was not the case, he died of another cause and without a ruling, and only marginally says that the risk in this case is low.” , said Health Minister Jorge Alcocer.

Avian influenza has been the focus of international health attention for many years. The H5N2 strain, which was recently discovered in poultry houses in Mexico, is not as concerning as the H5N1 strain, which has been spreading uncontrollably for several years and is transmitted between mammals.