When you purchase through links on our site , we may realize an affiliate commission . Here ’s how it works .
A person in Mexico recently give out after get the first known human case of H5N2 bird flu .
The case marks the first prison term someone in Mexico has been turn one’s stomach by any type of influenza A(H5 ) virus , a across-the-board group of related chick grippe virus , theWorld Health Organization ( WHO ) reportedJune 5 .
A person in Mexico died after catching H5N2 bird flu in the first case of its kind.
ab initio , assurance reported that the infection was a " confirm fatal fount " of H5N2 . However , inan update issued June 14 , they said that , although the man had quiz positive for the flu virus around his time of death , he likely actually died of complication touch to his fundamental aesculapian condition .
Specifics about those conditions have n’t been release , but the investigator said that the patient ’s medical disk aim to this conclusion . Notably , the gentleman’s gentleman had reportedly been " bedridden " for other reason three week prior to developing any bird grippe symptom .
Related:‘Increased evidence that we should be zippy ' : H5N1 bird flu is adapting to mammalian in ' new way '
The case is still notable , though , because it demonstrates that H5N2 can circularize to humans and cause disease .
The panoptic family of virus that H5N2 belongs to also includes the onecurrently circulating among U.S. dairy cows , called H5N1 . H5N1 recentlysickened three peoplewho had close physical contact with oxen . When it ’s caused sporadic infections in masses , H5N1 has led to severe pneumonia and deathin at least 50 % of type . In general , bird influenza - touch deaths have been cover in hoi polloi with and without underlying medical condition , the WHO says .
The spread of birdfluto masses is touch , in part , because these viruses can sometimes be deadly . Another reason for concern is that the more times bird flu jumps into masses , the more chances it has to beak up mutations and gain the power to spread easy between human beings . As of yet , no A(H5 ) viruses can sustainably spread from person to person , the WHO report — but that could change in the hereafter .
For now , though , " ground on useable information , WHO assesses the current risk to the general universe gravel by this computer virus [ H5N2 ] as low , " the agency report June 14 .
The recent compositor’s case in Mexico involved a 59 - year - sometime who developed fever , shortness of breath , diarrhea , nausea and general uneasiness in mid - April . The somebody sought medical treatment at a Mexico City hospital on April 24 but pass the same day .
A sample of the affected role ’s respiratory fluids , choose April 24 , revealed he ’d had H5N2 . The virus is similar to H5N1 , in thatboth viruses carry the same type of protein — H5 — on their surfaces , but a 2d protein called neuraminidase ( N ) is a more or less different condition on each virus .
A close genetic analysis of the man ’s sample distribution revealed that the virus was 99 % standardized to a tenor of H5N2 detected this yr in birds in Texcoco , Mexico . The strain is know to have low pathogenicity in fowl , meaning it causes few to no symptom in poultry . extremely infective avian influenza computer virus , in contrast , cause wicked disease and demise in fowl .
Both extremely and low pathogenic H5N2 viruses have caused outbreaks among hiss in several Mexican states this class .
— Bird flu wipes out over 95 % of southern elephant seal whelp in ' catastrophic ' aggregative death
— 32 disease you’re able to catch from animals
— first polar bear death from bird flu spell trouble for species
According to the WHO , the serviceman had had no late contact with poultry or other fauna ; typically , people capture bird flu through contact with sick or dead animals , or from contact with materials those animate being contaminate with the virus . As of June 14 , authorities are still investigating the possible source of the patient ’s contagion .
So far , none of the person ’s close contacts have examine electropositive for wench flu , and there ’s no grounds the computer virus has unfold between people . " This case and this update do not modify the current WHO recommendations on public health meter and surveillance of flu , " the representation reiterated in its June 14 statement .
Since multitude generally trance A(H5 ) viruses from animal or from handling those animals ' bodily fluid , you’re able to reduce the risk of bird flu by avoiding gruesome and dead animals and on a regular basis lap your hands with soap and water . In the U.S. , dairy farm proletarian have been advised towear personal protective equipment around potentially sick animals , as an additional guard measure , and authorities have also emphasized thatdrinking natural Milk River could stick a riskto consumer .
Again , the risk of transmission to the general world is low and overall these bird flu infections are uncommon . Should you trance an A(H5 ) computer virus , existing drugs for seasonal flu can help treat the infection .
Ever wonder whysome people build sinew more easily than othersorwhy freckle come in out in the sun ? send off us your question about how the human torso works tocommunity@livescience.comwith the subject line " Health Desk Q , " and you may see your question answer on the website !
