https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/who-confirms-first-human-case-avian-influenza-ah5n2-mexico-2024-06-05/ Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals Learn more aboutRefinitiv Reuters home * World Browse World + Africa + Americas + Asia Pacific + China + Europe + India + Israel and Hamas at War + Japan + Middle East + Ukraine and Russia at War + United Kingdom + UK Election + United States + US Election + Reuters Next * Business Browse Business + Aerospace & Defense + Autos & Transportation + Davos + Energy + Environment + Finance + Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals + Media & Telecom + Retail & Consumer + Future of Health + Future of Money + Take Five + World at Work * Markets Browse Markets + Asian Markets + Carbon Markets + Commodities + Currencies + Deals + Emerging Markets + ETFs + European Markets + Funds + Global Market Data + Rates & Bonds + Stocks + U.S. Markets + Wealth + Macro Matters * Sustainability Browse Sustainability + Boards, Policy & Regulation + Climate & Energy + Land Use & Biodiversity + Society & Equity + Sustainable Finance & Reporting + The Switch + Reuters Impact * Legal Browse Legal + Government + Legal Industry + Litigation + Transactional + US Supreme Court * Breakingviews Browse Breakingviews + Breakingviews Predictions * Technology Browse Technology + Artificial Intelligence + Cybersecurity + Space + Disrupted * Investigations * More Sports + Olympics + Athletics + Baseball + Basketball + Cricket + Cycling + Formula 1 + Golf + NFL + NHL + Soccer + Tennis ScienceLifestyleGraphics PicturesPodcastsFact CheckVideoSponsored Content + Reuters Plus + Coupons My View Register * My View * Following * Saved * Americas WHO confirms fatal human case of bird flu in Mexico By Reuters June 5, 202410:16 PM UTCUpdated ago * * * * * * * * Illustration shows person touching test tube labelled "Bird Flu\ REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab June 5 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization on Wednesday said a person's death was caused by the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with the A(H5N2) subtype of bird flu reported globally, and the first human infection with the H5 strain of the virus reported in Mexico. The 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico, who had been hospitalized in Mexico City, died on April 24 after developing a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general discomfort, WHO said. "Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, A(H5N2) viruses have been reported in poultry in Mexico," WHO said in a statement. The victim had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, but had multiple underlying medical conditions and had been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms, the United Nations agency said. In March, Mexico's government reported an outbreak of A(H5N2) in an isolated family unit in the country's western Michoacan state, but said at the time this did not represent a risk to distant commercial farms, nor to human health. After the April death, Mexican authorities confirmed the presence of the virus and reported the case to the WHO, the agency said. Based on available information, WHO assesses the current risk to the general population posed by this virus as low. No further cases have been reported during an investigation that tested people who had come into contact with the victim for types of influenza, as well as for COVID-19, it said. Cases of bird flu have now been identified in mammals such as seals, raccoons, bears and cattle, primarily due to contact with infected birds. Scientists are on alert for changes in the virus that could signal it is adapting to spread more easily among humans. The United States has reported three cases of human infection after exposure to cows since an outbreak was detected in dairy cattle in March. Two just had symptoms of conjunctivitis, while the third also had respiratory symptoms. Australia reported its first human case of A(H5N1) infection in May, noting there were no signs of transmission. It has however found more poultry cases of H7 bird flu on farms in Victoria state. Sign up here. Reporting by Urvi Dugar and Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru, Ana Isabel Martinez and Sarah Morland in Mexico City; Editing by Richard Chang and Bill Berkrot Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab * * * * * Purchase Licensing Rights Read Next * Migrants at U.S.-Mexico border in California AmericascategoryMexico nearing deal with US for direct deportations to home countries4:32 PM UTC * Wind turbines and solar panels are seen at a wind and solar power plant in Zhangjiakou BusinesscategoryChina's SPIC invests $147 million in Brazil wind farms, launches solar parks6:59 PM UTC * Sheinbaum wins Mexico's presidential election AmericascategoryMexico's Sheinbaum to prioritize public internet access, says advisor7:00 PM UTC * Sheinbaum wins Mexico's presidential election AmericascategoryMexico's ruling coalition still short of two-thirds Senate majority3:37 PM UTC LSEG Workspace World * Former wife of Hunter Biden Kathleen Buhle departs the trial in Wilmington, Delaware Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriend describes his drug use at his criminal trial Legalcategory * June 5, 2024 * 10:44 PM UTC * ago Hunter Biden's former girlfriend testified about his near-constant crack cocaine use at lavish hotels at the criminal trial where prosecutors are trying to prove that U.S. President Joe Biden's son lied about his addiction to illegally buy a gun. * Reuters logo EuropecategoryTwo likely dead, dozens injured in Czech train crash, Czech TV reports10:36 PM UTC * Updated ago * The Wider Image: Nepal's honey gatherers say fewer hives threaten tradition Climate ChangecategoryNepal's honey gatherers say fewer hives threaten tradition10:29 PM UTC * Updated ago * Reuters logo Middle EastcategoryAmbrey says Greek-owned bulk carrier was allegedly targeted by Houthis in Red Sea10:27 PM UTC * Updated ago * APEC Summit in San Francisco WorldcategoryPeru's Boluarte will meet China's Xi after Congress OKs late June trip9:57 PM UTC * Updated ago Site Index Browse * World * Business * Markets * Sustainability * Legal * Breakingviews * Technology * Investigations, opens new tab * Sports * Science * Lifestyle About Reuters * About Reuters, opens new tab * Careers, opens new tab * Reuters News Agency, opens new tab * Brand Attribution Guidelines, opens new tab * Reuters Leadership, opens new tab * Reuters Fact Check, opens new tab * Reuters Diversity Report, opens new tab Stay Informed * Download the App (iOS), opens new tab * Download the App (Android), opens new tab * Newsletters, opens new tab Information you can trust Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world's largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Follow Us * * * * * Thomson Reuters Products * Westlaw, opens new tab Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. * Onesource, opens new tab The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. * Checkpoint, opens new tab The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. LSEG Products * Workspace, opens new tab Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. * Data Catalogue, opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. * World-Check, opens new tab Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. * Advertise With Us, opens new tab * Advertising Guidelines, opens new tab * Coupons, opens new tab * Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab * Cookies, opens new tab * Terms of Use, opens new tab * Privacy, opens new tab * Digital Accessibility, opens new tab * Corrections, opens new tab * Site Feedback, opens new tab All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. (c) 2024 Reuters. All rights reserved