Brits are being warned to keep an eye out for symptoms of bird flu after a man became the first ever human to die from the virus in Mexico, sparking fears of a new global health crisis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the patient had been hospitalised in Mexico City with the H5N2 strain of the disease, before dying due to complications from the condition. A WHO spokesperson said: “This is the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with an influenza A(H5N2) virus reported globally, and the first A(H5) virus infection in a person reported in Mexico .
The case had multiple underlying conditions, and the investigation by the health authorities in Mexico is ongoing to determine the likely source of exposure to the virus.” Brits are now being reminded to keep an eye out for symptoms of the disease. Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds, but in rare cases, it can also affect humans.
A number of strains of bird flu have caused concern in recent years, but the H5N2 strain, which the patient in Mexico died from, had never been previously seen in humans. According to the NHS , the key symptoms of bird flu can appear quickly and often manifest as: Other early symptoms may include: It usually takes around 3 to 5 days for initial symptoms to appear once a person is infected. But, severe complications, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, can develop .
