World Health Organization warns a NEW strain of bird flu has jumped to humans with 'potential for high public health impact' - as man in Mexico, 59, tests positive before dying from it By Luke Andrews Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 21:05, 5 June 2024 | Updated: 22:01, 5 June 2024 e-mail 7 shares 124 View comments A new strain of bird flu has jumped to humans in an event that has 'potential for high public health impact', the World Health Organization has warned. Officials say a 59-year-old man in Mexico died after battling a seven-day illness that left him suffering from fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea and nausea.
Testing showed they were infected with H5N2, marking the first time this strain has ever been detected in humans. It differs from the H5N1 strain behind the outbreak in cattle and that has sickened three people in the US this year. The patient had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, with it being unclear how he became infected.
But officials said the risk to the public is 'low', saying the patient had underlying health conditions. It was not clear whether the disease had been spread to others. They warned in an alert released today, however, that 'a human infection caused by a novel [bird flu virus] is an event that has the potential for high public health impact'.
The patient, from Mexico City, became unwell on April 17, but waited a week before seeking help in hospital. He died on the same day as his admission, however, be.
