A 59-year-old man died in Mexico City after contracting a strain of bird flu that had not previously been seen in humans, the World Health Organization (WHO) explained in a report compiled by Bloomberg.
According to Bloomberg, this “first laboratory confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza“which is known as H5N2. According to preliminary data, the patient was not exposed to the virus.
The patient was hospitalized and was believed to have no exposure to poultry, although he had underlying conditions such as chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.
After three weeks in the hospital, the patient developed symptoms such as fever, diarrhea and difficulty breathing.
The WHO has assured that the risk of H5N2 influenza is currently low as it has not been proven to be transmitted between people.
Mexican authorities are currently monitoring the Tlahuac wetlands, farms, backyards and other areas near the patient’s home area, but have not yet found any infected birds.