The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first death from the H5N2 avian influenza mutant virus on June 5.
According to the Financial Times (FT), the WHO announced that a 59-year-old individual in Mexico died from the H5N2 avian influenza virus.
The victim had no contact history with birds or other animals and passed away after being admitted to a hospital in April.
The Mexican health authorities reported the matter to the WHO, which investigated and classified it as the world’s first death from the H5N2 avian influenza mutant virus as the virus was detected in the victim.
This marked the first case where the H5N2 avian influenza mutant virus was detected in humans.
It is known that the H5N2 avian influenza is spreading in poultry farms in Mexico.
On the other hand, the H5N1 avian influenza virus is noted to be different and rapidly spreading.
The H5N1 avian influenza also spreads in ranches raising livestock and poultry farms. Four people have already been infected. However, the WHO believes avian influenza will not have a widespread impact on humans like the COVID-19 virus.
The WHO evaluated the potential public health risk from the H5N2 avian influenza virus as “low.
Meanwhile, the number of H5N1 avian influenza infections has reached about 580 since it was confirmed in 2003, with about 340 deaths and a mortality rate of 59%.
