Man dies in Mexico from rare bird flu variant

A 59-year-old man in Mexico has died from H5N2 bird flu, marking the first known human case of this subtype without prior animal exposure.

Kelly Kasulis Cho reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• A Mexican man died from H5N2 bird flu, the first known human case of this subtype, without prior exposure to poultry.
• The World Health Organization says global surveillance is crucial, but the current public health risk remains low.
• The man experienced severe symptoms including fever and shortness of breath before dying shortly after hospitalization.

Key quote:

“This case does not change the current WHO recommendations on public health measures and surveillance of influenza.”

— World Health Organization statement

Why this matters:

The implications of this case are vast. If H5N2 can indeed spread among humans without requiring animal vectors, it could signal the emergence of a new, more dangerous phase of the virus. This could complicate efforts to control and prevent outbreaks, not only in Mexico but globally.