Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

WHO Confirms First Human H5N2 Bird Flu Death in Mexico

POSTED ON June 6, 2024 •   Health & Wellness      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
A person holds a test tube labeled "Bird Flu" in this illustration, Jan. 14, 2023. l Credit: Reuters

The first-ever laboratory-confirmed human case of the H5N2 avian influenza (bird flu) has been reported by Mexico, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

Bird flu is caused by an influenza virus commonly found in wild aquatic birds, and it can also affect domestic poultry, other birds, and animals. While rare, bird flu infections in humans are possible.

The WHO stated yesterday that the case was reported by Mexico's International Health Regulations (IHR) national focal point (NFP) on May 23. 

The infected individual, a 59-year-old resident, experienced symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, nausea, and general discomfort. The victim had no known exposure to poultry or other animals but had underlying medical conditions.

Although the source of exposure to the virus is currently unknown, H5N2 viruses have been found in poultry in Mexico. 

The case's relatives mentioned that the individual had been bedridden for three weeks prior to the onset of acute symptoms. Despite an epidemiological investigation, no further cases were reported. 

Out of the 17 contacts identified and monitored at the hospital where the case died, only one reported a runny nose between April 28 and 29.

The WHO confirmed that this is the first laboratory-confirmed human case of the H5N2 virus reported globally. In March 2024, an outbreak of H5N2 was detected in a backyard poultry farm in the state of Mich.

READ ALSO
Dangote Advocate end to health tourism, Emphasize local drug- production
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President and chief executive officer of Dangote groups, Aliko Dangote, has called...

READ ALSO
Bill Gates Advocates for Improved Health Care in Nigeria Amid Budget Constraints
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

US billionaire Bill Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, expressed that Nigeria’s health bu...

READ ALSO
Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....

READ ALSO
Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...

READ ALSO
Health Equity: Nigeria's Push for Universal Health Coverage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

In alignment with the global effort towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Nigeria is striving to...

READ ALSO
WHO Calls for Immediate Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products to Protect Youth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new publication on Friday, urging governments to swif...

READ ALSO
WHO Unveils New Vaccination Strategies to Protect Infants from RSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization announced on Friday its recommendations for two new vaccination option...

READ ALSO
NGO Calls for Tax Elimination on Sanitary Pads to Promote Menstrual Hygiene
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

A non-governmental organization (NGO), FAB Treasure Foundation, urged the federal government on Thur...

OUR CHANNELS:

NEMA Mobilizes Teams to 15 States Amid Flood Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sent officials to 15 high-risk states to educate...


Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....


Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...


Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia Join UN Security Council for 2026-2027 Term
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council...


Tinubu Orders Urgent Repairs on Flood-Damaged Bridge in Mokwa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

NIGER, Nigeria (NAN)- President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Works to repair t...


Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...


EFCC Charges Two Men for Posing as Fake Sureties in Illegal Mining Case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged two individuals, Shehu Abdu and Isah...


Court Sentence Scrap Seller to 12 Years for Sexual Assault of Four-Year-Old Girl
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

A scrap seller, Nasiru Usman, was sentenced to 12 years in prison by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Do...


70-Year-Old Faces Manslaughter Charges After Fatal Accident
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - A 70-year-old man, Isiaka Afolayan, has been detained for careless driving and the...


Police Arrest 49 years old Suspect for Abduction of Two-Month-Old Baby
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

DELTA, Nigeria - The police in Delta reported the arrest of a suspect named Joy Temitope for the abd...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu