WHO confirms case of human infection with avian influenza virus

A confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus has been detected in a 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico.

On May 23, 2024, the National Focal Point (NFP) of the Mexico International Health Regulations (IHR) reported to Pan-American Health Organisation / World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus detected in a 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico who was hospitalised in Mexico City and had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, according to the message posted on the website of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The case had multiple underlying medical conditions.

The case’s relatives reported that the case had already been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms.

On April 17, the case developed fever, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, nausea and general malaise. On April 24, the case sought medical attention, was hospitalised at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases “Ismael Cosio Villegas” (INER per its acronym in Spanish) and died the same day due to complications of his condition.

In March 2024, a high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N2) outbreak was detected in a backyard poultry farm in the state of Michoacán, which borders the State of Mexico where the case was residing.