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An individual in Mexico died after contracting a pressure of chicken flu that hasn’t been confirmed in people earlier than, the World Well being Group stated Wednesday.
The virus was detected in a 59-year-old who had been hospitalized in Mexico Metropolis. The individual died one week after growing a fever, shortness of breath and diarrhea. It’s the primary lab-confirmed case of an individual contracting a type of chicken flu often called H5N2, the WHO stated in an announcement, elevating questions on a pressure that has largely been beneath the radar. The present chicken flu outbreak in US dairy cows is being pushed by a distinct pressure — H5N1.
The affected person, who lived in Central Mexico, had no historical past of publicity to poultry or different animals and had underlying medical circumstances. The Mexican authorities doesn’t know the place the affected person was uncovered to the virus, although the pressure of avian influenza has been reported in poultry within the Mexican state the place the individual lived.
No different H5N2 instances have been recognized in people, in accordance with WHO, which stated the present threat posed by the virus to most of the people is low.
The US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The affected person who died had been bedridden for 3 weeks “for different causes” previous to the onset of acute signs, the WHO stated, citing the affected person’s kin.
Mexican authorities reported the deadly human case to the WHO on Could 23 after confirming the presence of the virus.
