Man dies from H5N2 avian flu in Mexico; Minnesota reports first case in dairy cow

The World Well being Group (WHO) has confirmed {that a} 59-year-old Mexican man with no identified publicity to contaminated animals has died from the H5N2 subtype of avian flu.

The WHO stated the fatality doesn’t change the present danger evaluation to human well being—low—for H5N2. 

The case-patient first developed fever, shortness of breath, and diarrhea on April 17, in search of medical care on April 24 on the Nationwide Institute of Respiratory Illnesses in Mexico Metropolis. He was hospitalized and died the identical day. A respiratory pattern collected on April 24 indicated a non-subtypeable influenza A virus. and the Mexico Nationwide Influenza Centre confirmed the influenza subtype was A(H5N2) on Could 22. 

In response to the Mexican Ministry of Well being, the affected person had a lot of comorbidities, together with power kidney illness, kind 2 diabetes, and long-standing systemic arterial hypertension. 

So far, 17 hospital contacts and 12 contacts who lived close to the particular person’s residence have all examined damaging for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B, as decided by reverse transcription-polymerase chain response (RT-PCR). Serologic assessments are nonetheless pending. 

“As a result of continuously evolving nature of influenza viruses, WHO continues to emphasize the significance of world surveillance,” the WHO stated. 

Although how the person contracted the virus is unknown, Mexico did report a H5N2 outbreak on a yard poultry farm within the state of Michoacan, which borders the state the place the affected person lived, the WHO stated. 

US human instances maintain at 4

As a result of new H5N1 crossover instances have been reported in a lot of mammal species throughout North America, scientists have warned that human instances might comply with. America has reported 4 human instances of H5N1, three of whom had publicity to dairy cows and one who had publicity to contaminated poultry. 

Thus far, all US instances have been delicate. 

Yesterday, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) up to date the present state of affairs abstract on H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and US dairy cows. 

“Whereas the present public well being danger is low, CDC is watching the state of affairs rigorously and dealing with states to watch folks with animal exposures,” the CDC stated. 

Whereas the present public well being danger is low, CDC is watching the state of affairs rigorously and dealing with states to watch folks with animal exposures,

Minnesota, Iowa report sick cows

Eighty-one dairy herds in 9 states had been contaminated as of yesterday, however that quantity elevated right this moment by two as Minnesota and Iowa introduced their first detections of avian flu in dairy cattle. 

In Minnesota, not less than 40 animals in a Benton County dairy herd now have fevers, after solely a handful of animals began exhibiting indicators of sickness final weekend. 

“We knew it was solely a matter of time earlier than this detection would attain our doorstep,” stated State Veterinarian Brian Hoefs, DVM, in a assertion from the Minnesota Board of Animal Well being. “It’s essential for dairy farmers to comply with the instance of this herd and check sick cows. The extra the animal well being neighborhood can find out about this virus right this moment by means of testing and analysis, the higher we are able to equip ourselves to forestall infections tomorrow.”

In response to the assertion, avian flu signs in dairy principally have an effect on late-stage lactating cows and embrace fever, a drop in milk manufacturing, lack of urge for food, and adjustments in manure consistency.

In Iowa, state officers have confirmed the virus in a dairy herd in O’Brien County.

Along with the brand new detections in Minnesota and Iowa, two extra infections in herds in Texas yesterday raised the outbreak complete to 86.