In June 2024, shortly after a notification of a fatal case of human infection with avian influenza in Mexico, WHO shared a disease outbreak news update to reflect new information from Mexican authorities. WHO was informed that a national multidisciplinary group of experts who undertook a review of the death concluded that, although the patient was positive for avian influenza A(H5N2), he died from his co-morbidities. The risk assessment issued by WHO remains low.
Updated information
As reported earlier this month, the Mexico IHR NFP reported a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus to PAHO/WHO. The 59-year-old, a resident of Mexico City, had no known history of exposure to poultry or other animals, and had “multiple” underlying medical conditions. Before symptoms began, the patient was bedridden for three weeks.
In response to the patient’s death, a national multidisciplinary group of experts was formed, including infectious disease specialists, pneumonologists, microbiologists, and intensive care professionals. This team reviewed the patient’s clinical history and records to conclude that, although the patient had laboratory-confirmed infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus, he died due to “complications of his co-morbidities”. These included chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and systemic arterial hypertension for over 14 years. No further cases were reported during this epidemiological investigation.
Risk unchanged
WHO’s risk assessment is “unchanged”; the current risk to the general population is “low”. However, if further epidemiological or virological information becomes available, the risk assessment will be reviewed.
Mexico dismisses WHO’s statement
It has been reported that the Mexican Health Secretary Dr Jorge Alcocer had contradicted the WHO statement in a morning briefing, describing it as “not accurate”. Dr Alcocer is said to have called the update “pretty bad” for attributing the patient’s death to infection with the avian influenza virus.
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