WHO Identifies First Death Due to Bird Flu Virus H5N2
Data Penulis
Name : GUMILAR
Class : XI MIPA 2
School : SMAN 7 GARUT
First Case in Mexico
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first death due to H5N2 Bird Flu infection in humans. The case occurred in a 59-year-old man in the Mexican State of Nagra on Wednesday (24/4), after experiencing shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea.
WHO Statement
“This is a case of avian influenza subtype A (H5N2) infection in humans confirmed through laboratory testing and reported globally, and it is the first H5 virus infection reported in humans in Mexico,” WHO said in a statement.
Treatment & Death
The man was hospitalized in Mexico City on April 24 and passed away on the same day due to complications from initial symptoms of shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea. Following the onset of symptoms, the man had been bedridden for three weeks due to other complications, with no history of contact with birds or poultry when cases of avian flu subtype A (H2N2) were previously reported in Mexico.
Laboratory Confirmation
According to the WHO official website, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests from respiratory samples collected on April 24 revealed the presence of an unsubtypeable influenza A virus. Subsequently, on May 8, the sample was sent to the Molecular Biology Laboratory at the Research Center for Infectious Diseases (CIENI) INER and confirmed positive for influenza A (H5N2).
Transmission Source
According to the Mexican Ministry of Health, in a statement, they stated that the source of the transmission in this man is not yet identified. However, scientists believe that this virus can adapt and spread more easily to humans.
About the H5N2 Virus
According to the Times of India, H5N2 is a subtype of bird flu virus that commonly attacks birds with high mortality rates within the poultry group. The transmission to humans occurred by direct contact with poultry or environments that were contaminated.
Other Cases in America
In cases of H5N1 infection, there have been reports of three cases in humans after exposure to cattle during outbreaks detected in dairy cattle in March. Far reports show that two people experienced conjunctivitis symptoms, while one person experienced breathing problems.
