The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified the death of a 59-year-old Mexico Man who tested positive for the H5N2 subtype of avian influenza. This individual had no known history of exposure to infected animals.
Mexican health authorities have stated that while the man did test positive for H5N2, his death in April was attributed to pre-existing chronic health conditions, not directly to the avian flu. These conditions included chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, all of which were significant factors in his passing, according to the Ministry of Health.
The WHO maintains that this isolated fatality does not elevate the overall risk assessment for human health related to H5N2, which remains low.
Contacts of Mexico Man Test Negative
The Mexico man initially experienced symptoms including fever, shortness of breath, and diarrhea starting on April 17th. He sought medical attention on April 24th at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases in Mexico City. He was admitted to the hospital but unfortunately passed away on the same day. A respiratory sample taken on April 24th initially indicated a non-subtypeable influenza A virus. Later, on May 22nd, the Mexico National Influenza Centre confirmed the influenza subtype as A(H5N2).
Health officials in Mexico reported that the patient had several comorbidities, specifically chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and long-standing systemic arterial hypertension.
Extensive contact tracing was conducted, and to date, all 17 hospital contacts and 12 residential contacts of the Mexico man have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B. These tests were performed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serologic test results are still pending.
The WHO has reiterated the critical need for continuous global surveillance of influenza viruses, given their constantly changing nature.
While the exact source of the man’s infection is still under investigation, it is noted that Mexico had previously reported an H5N2 outbreak at a backyard poultry farm in Michoacan state. This state shares a border with the state where the affected Mexico man resided.
US Reports Consistent Human Case Numbers
The emergence of H5N1 avian flu in various mammal species across North America has raised concerns among scientists about potential spillover into human populations. In the United States, there have been four reported human cases of H5N1 to date. Three of these cases involved individuals with exposure to dairy cows, and one was linked to exposure to infected poultry.
It is important to note that all human cases reported in the US have been mild.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its situation summary regarding H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and US dairy cows.
The CDC has stated that “While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.” This ongoing surveillance is crucial for understanding and mitigating potential risks.
While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures,
Avian Flu Spreads to Dairy Cows in Minnesota and Iowa
As of yesterday, 81 dairy herds across nine US states were confirmed to be affected by avian flu. This number has now increased with the first detections in dairy cattle in both Minnesota and Iowa.
In Minnesota, a dairy herd in Benton County has at least 40 cows exhibiting fever symptoms. This followed initial signs of illness in a smaller number of animals the previous weekend.
Minnesota State Veterinarian Brian Hoefs, DVM, stated, “We knew it was only a matter of time before this detection would reach our doorstep,” in a statement from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. He emphasized the importance of testing sick cows, encouraging dairy farmers to proactively engage in surveillance. “The more the animal health community can learn about this virus today through testing and research, the better we can equip ourselves to prevent infections tomorrow.”
Symptoms of avian flu in dairy cows are primarily observed in late-stage lactating animals and include fever, decreased milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in manure consistency.
Iowa state officials have also confirmed the virus in a dairy herd in O’Brien County.
In addition to these new cases in Minnesota and Iowa, two additional herd infections were reported in Texas yesterday, bringing the total number of affected herds to 86.
