Category: Flu Virus

WASHINGTON (AP) A mans death in Mexico was caused by a strain of bird flu called H5N2 that has never before been found in a human, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

The WHO said it wasnt clear how the man became infected, although H5N2 has been reported in poultry in Mexico.

There are numerous types of bird flu. H5N2 is not the same strain that has infected multiple dairy cow herds in the U.S. That strain is called H5N1 and three farmworkers have gotten mild infections.

Other bird flu varieties have killed people across the world in previous years, including 18 people in China during an outbreak of H5N6 in 2021, according to a timeline of bird flu outbreaks from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mexican health officials alerted the WHO that a 59-year-old man who died in a Mexico City hospital had the virus despite no known exposure to poultry or other animals.

According to family members, the WHO release said, the patient had been bedridden for unrelated reasons before developing a fever, shortness of breath and diarrhea on April 17. Mexicos public health department said in a statement that he had underlying ailments, including chronic kidney failure, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Hospital care was sought on April 24 and the man died the same day.

Initial tests showed an unidentified type of flu that subsequent weeks of lab testing confirmed was H5N2.

The WHO said the risk to people in Mexico is low, and that no further human cases have been discovered so far despite testing people who came in contact with the deceased at home and in the hospital.

There had been three poultry outbreaks of H5N2 in nearby parts of Mexico in March but authorities havent been able to find a connection. Mexican officials also are monitoring birds near a shallow lake on the outskirts of Mexico City.

Whenever bird flu circulates in poultry, there is a risk that people in close contact with flocks can become infected. Health authorities are closely watching for any signs that the viruses are evolving to spread easily from person to person, and experts are concerned as more mammal species contract bird flu viruses.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Man in Mexico died of a bird flu strain that hadn't been confirmed before in a human, WHO says - The Associated Press

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Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses are becoming increasingly flexible and are adapting to mammals in new ways that could have global consequences for humans, wildlife, and livestock, according to a new study.

Researchers investigated a massive outbreak among elephant seals in Argentina in 2023. Their study shows clear mammal-to-mammal transmission of the virus.

The study states the outbreak is the first known, multinational transmission of the virus in mammals ever observed globally, with the same virus appearing in several pinniped species across different countries over a short period of time.

The studys genomic analysis showed the virus is now evolving into separate avian and marine mammal clades in South America, which is unprecedented. There is growing concern that H5N1 viruses adapted to mammal transmission could jump to other species, including people.

This is increased evidence that we should be alert, especially for marine mammals, says co-leading author Marcela Uhart, a veterinarian with the University of California, Davis Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center and its Latin America Program. The more it adapts to mammals the more important it becomes for humans.

The current variant of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b began to cause problems at a global scale in 2020. While humans confronted the COVID-19 pandemic, H5N1, or avian influenza, began killing tens of thousands of seabirds in Europe before moving to South Africa. In 2022, it entered the US and Canada, threatening poultry and wild birds, and then spread to South America in late 2022.

By February 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in Argentina for the first time, affecting poultry primarily in inland central Argentina for five months.

By August 2023, after two months of no outbreaks in poultry, the virus was found in sea lions at the tip of South America off the Atlantic coastline of Tierra del Fuego island.

From there, it moved swiftly northward, with deadly results, first for marine mammals and later for seabirds.

In October 2023, following outbreaks in sea lions, the study authors surveyed a breeding colony of elephant seals at Punta Delgada along the coast of Pennsula Valds, Argentina. They recorded unprecedented mass mortalitysome 17,000 elephant seals were dead. By November, 96% of pups born that season would die. Test results confirmed that HPAI H5N1 was present in the seals as well as in several terns that died at the same time.

The virus separation into avian and marine mammal clades unfolded as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4bspecifically genotype B3.2arrived on the continent through migratory birds before spilling over to mammals. It then separated from the avian clade virus to become its own, marine mammal-adapted virus. Concerningly, while the virus moves across pinnipeds, it can also still infect birds. That was evident in the study, where the virus found in terns was identical to that from elephant seals.

Were showing the evolution of this marine mammal virus over time, says virologist and co-leading author Agustina Rimondi of INTA. This virus is capable of adapting to mammals, as we can see from the mutations that are consistently found in the viruses belonging to the mammalian clade.

Influenza viruses commonly mutate and exchange gene segments, enabling them to adapt to new hosts.

Uhart and Rimondi says it is critically important that monitoring and investigation continue to better understand the consequences of the virus to human health, wildlife conservation, and ecology.

The study appears online as a preprint.

Additional coauthors are from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; the National Institutes of Health; INTA-CONICET; the Wildlife Conservation Society in Argentina; and Rega Institute in Belgium.

Funding for the study came from the Wildlife Conservation Society, UC Davis, and National Institute of Agricultural Technology

Source: UC Davis

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Seal outbreak shows bird flu virus is adapting to mammals - Futurity: Research News

Against a backdrop of low-volume but growing concerns about bird flu, the National Institutes of Healths (NIH's) infectious disease arm has laid out its plans to study the virus that causes the illness.

In a document (PDF) released publicly June 5, the NIHs National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) explained that it planned to track the H5N1 viruss evolution, study its clinical course and come up with prevention, diagnostic and treatment strategies.

The agenda hits on all the right issues, Nigel Sizer, Ph.D., executive director of the Preventing Pandemics at the Source initiative, told Fierce Biotech Research in an email.

The new effort builds upon existing work, Sizer pointed out. Even before the virus was discovered in cattle, organizations like the NIAID-funded influenza research network Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response have been tracking viruses in the same family.

I would say NIAID has been very much on-the-ball in regard to H5-related research, Sizer wrote.

H5N1 has periodically captured the attention of the media and public health officials in outbreaks among people who handle poultry. But, on March 25, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the virus had for the first time spread to cows, causing a multistate outbreak on dairy farms. Then, on April 1, the agency announced an infection in a person who was exposed to cattle. Two more infections have since been reported, including one with symptoms.

The CDC maintains that the risk to the general public is low. No one who has contracted H5N1 in the current outbreak has died, though about half of the 909 cases reported between 1997 and late April 2024 were fatal, according to the health agency. Given that all the people infected by cows were in direct contact with the animals, it doesnt seem like the virus can be transmitted between humansyet.

Part of NIAIDs H5N1 research agenda includes preparing for that possibility. The agencys effort will characterize how the virus is transmittedincluding whether it can be carried from host to host via infected milk productsand monitoring to make sure that any cases of human-to-human transmissionare caught quickly. NIAID will also attempt to develop a universal vaccine that works against not only H5N1 but most other flu strains, too, as well as broad-spectrum antivirals and antibody-based preexposure prophylaxis or treatments.

Still, there is one area in which NIAIDs effort is lacking, one expert told Fierceresearch into reducing the likelihood of a flu virus emerging from livestock in the first place.

[The program] is very extensive when it comes to research into how to respond to emergence, particularly once it has affected humans, Dirk Pfiffer, Ph.D., a veterinarian and professor at City University of Hong Kong, said. But it does, in my view, not adequately address research that is aimed at reducing the likelihood of such emergence within livestock production systems and the ability to detect and contain it early.

Fierce has reached out to NIAID for comment.

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NIAID is 'on the ball' with bird flu research, but gaps remain - Fierce Biotech

Austin Public Health said there is a low risk to the community at this time.

AUSTIN, Texas The first reports of the avian flu have been found in the Austin area.

According to Austin Public Health (APH), H5N1, sometimes called Influenza A, was recently locatedin the city's wastewater system.

Despite this, APH said there is no apparent threat to the public at this time and no instances have been detected in humans in the city.

Avian flu, or bird flu, was detected in cattle on three dairy farms in the Texas Panhandle earlier this spring.

In March, a West Texas farmworker contracted the disease after working with infected dairy cattle. Then in May, the illness was also found in a person in Michigan.

H5N1 found in wastewater often comes from birds, livestock and secretion from cows or other impacted animals, according to APH.

When humans are infected, the virus often spreads through the eyes, nose or mouth, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Although avian flu has only been detected in three humans in the U.S., it's still important to be aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for.

Some of the most common concerns include a fever, sore throat, eye redness, nausea and seizures, according to Texas Health and Human Services.

APH said all instances of the illness in the U.S. have so far been mild.

In general, stay away from any sick or dead animals, as well as areas that have been contaminated by feces.

If you do come into contact with dead birds infected by the disease, APH recommends wearing masks, gloves or other protective materials.

When handling eggs, meat and poultry in particular, make sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds or more.

Additionally, do not consume raw milk, cheese or any other unpasteurized foods or drinks.

By taking these precautions, you can avoid the spread of avian flu to others throughout the country.

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Austin Public Health finds avian flu in wastewater - KVUE.com

A person in Mexico has died after catching the first known human case of H5N2 bird flu.

The fatal case marks the first time someone in Mexico has been sickened by any type of influenza A(H5) virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported Wednesday (June 5). This broad category of virus also includes the one currently circulating among U.S. dairy cows, called H5N1, which recently sickened three people who had close contact with cattle.

When it's caused sporadic infections in people, H5N1 has led to severe pneumonia and death in at least 50% of cases. The recent fatality in Mexico shows that H5N2 can also be deadly to humans.

The spread of bird flu to people is concerning, in part, because these viruses can be deadly. Another reason for concern is that the more times bird flu jumps into people, the more chances it has to pick up mutations and gain the ability to spread easily between humans. As of yet, no A(H5) viruses can sustainably spread from person to person, the WHO reported but that could change in the future.

Related: 'Increased evidence that we should be alert': H5N1 bird flu is adapting to mammals in 'new ways'

For now, though, "based on available information, WHO assesses the current risk to the general population posed by this virus [H5N2] as low," the agency reported.

The recent case in Mexico involved a 59-year-old who developed fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general malaise in mid-April. The person sought medical treatment at a Mexico City hospital on April 24 but died the same day "due to complications of his condition." The individual had multiple underlying conditions and had already been bedridden for other reasons for three weeks prior to developing any bird flu symptoms, his relatives reported.

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A sample of the patient's respiratory fluids, taken April 24, revealed he'd had H5N2. The virus is similar to H5N1, in that both viruses carry the same type of protein H5 on their surfaces, but a second protein called neuraminidase (N) is a slightly different shape on each virus.

According to the WHO, the person had had no recent contact with poultry or other animals; typically, people catch bird flu through contact with sick or dead animals, or from contact with materials those animals contaminated with the virus. Notably, H5N2 viruses have recently been spreading among poultry in Mexico, raising an opportunity for the virus to spread to people. Authorities in Mexico are still investigating the potential source of the patient's fatal infection.

So far, none of the person's close contacts have tested positive for bird flu, and there's no evidence the virus has spread between people. "This case does not change the current WHO recommendations on public health measures and surveillance of influenza," the agency reiterated in its statement.

Since people generally catch A(H5) viruses from animals or from handling those animals' bodily fluids, you can reduce the risk of bird flu by avoiding sick and dead animals and regularly washing your hands with soap and water. In the U.S., dairy workers have been advised to wear personal protective equipment around potentially sick animals, as an additional safety measure, and authorities have also emphasized that drinking raw milk could pose a risk to consumers.

Again, the risk of transmission to the general public is low and overall these bird flu infections are rare. Should you catch an A(H5) virus, existing drugs for seasonal flu can help treat the infection.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.

Ever wonder why some people build muscle more easily than others or why freckles come out in the sun? Send us your questions about how the human body works to community@livescience.com with the subject line "Health Desk Q," and you may see your question answered on the website!

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1st known human case of H5N2 bird flu kills person in Mexico - Livescience.com

Editor's Note: This story was updated on June 10, 2024, to note that Mexican authorities said the main died of chronic disease, not avian flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a 59-year-old Mexican man with no known exposure to infected animals has died after being infected with the H5N2 subtype of avian flu.

Mexico's Ministry of Health said the man, who died in April, was infected with H5N2 but died from other, underlying causes. He had chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, which contributed to his death, the ministry said.

The WHO said the fatality does not change the current risk assessment to human healthlowfor H5N2.

The case-patient first developed fever, shortness of breath, and diarrhea on April 17, seeking medical care on April 24 at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases in Mexico City. He was hospitalized and died the same day. A respiratory sample collected on April 24 indicated a non-subtypeable influenza A virus. and the Mexico National Influenza Centre confirmed the influenza subtype was A(H5N2) on May 22.

According to the Mexican Ministry of Health, the patient had a number of comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and long-standing systemic arterial hypertension.

To date, 17 hospital contacts and 12 contacts who lived near the persons residence have all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B, as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serologic tests are still pending.

"Due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses, WHO continues to stress the importance of global surveillance," the WHO said.

Though how the man contracted the virus is unknown, Mexico did report a H5N2 outbreak on a backyard poultry farm in the state of Michoacan, which borders the state where the patient lived, the WHO said.

Because new H5N1 crossover cases have been reported in a number of mammal species across North America, scientists have warned that human cases could follow. The United Stateshas reported four human cases of H5N1, three of whom had exposure to dairy cows and one who had exposure to infected poultry.

So far, all US cases have been mild.

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the current situation summary on H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and US dairy cows.

"While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures," the CDC said.

While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures,

Eighty-one dairy herds in nine states were infected as of yesterday, but that number increased today by two as Minnesota and Iowa announced their first detections of avian flu in dairy cattle.

In Minnesota, at least 40 animals in a Benton County dairy herd now have fevers, after only a handful of animals started showing signs of illness last weekend.

"We knew it was only a matter of time before this detection would reach our doorstep," said State Veterinarian Brian Hoefs, DVM, in a statement from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. "Its important for dairy farmers to follow the example of this herd and test sick cows. The more the animal health community can learn about this virus today through testing and research, the better we can equip ourselves to prevent infections tomorrow."

According to the statement, avian flu symptoms in dairy mostly affect late-stage lactating cows and include fever, a drop in milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in manure consistency.

In Iowa, state officials have confirmed the virus in a dairy herd in OBrien County.

In addition to the new detections in Minnesota and Iowa, two more infections in herds in Texas yesterday raised the outbreak total to 86.

Read more:

Man dies after H5N2 avian flu in Mexico; Minnesota reports first case in dairy cow - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Earlier this week, the World Health Organization reported the first case of a person dying due to the bird flu.

The incident happened in Mexico. That virus strain has not yet been found in the United States.

2 NEWS spoke with Premier Health Regional Medical Director Dr. Joseph Allen about the potential risks we face from bird flu in the Miami Valley.

Watch the interview in the video player above.

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Is the deadly bird flu virus a concern for Miami Valley residents? - WDTN.com

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu is back in the news again at least four states in India: Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala and Jharkhand have already reported outbreaks among poultry. The Centre has asked all States to be vigilant, and said all necessary measures have to be taken to prevent its spread.

Its not just in India that bird flu is in the news though the United States has been battling this problem as the infection has now spread to cattle herds in several states in that country.

The World Health Organisation recently said that A (H5N1) strain of avian influenza has become a global zoonotic animal pandemic with thousands of animals infected across multiple countries.

While so far there is no evidence that H5N1 virus is spreading from human to human, the risk remains for people who come into contact with infected animals.

Two cases were in the headlines recently one of a child who was diagnosed with H5N1 in Australia where she had just returned after a trip to Kolkata, and another case in Mexico, where a man died of a strain of bird flu called H5N2, which had never before been found in humans.

What are the ramifications of bird flu in India? Who is vulnerable to the disease and how can its transmission be curtailed? How do we ensure the safety of eggs, chicken and other animal products? And does India need reforms in its poultry and animal food sector to ensure better safety of animal and human health?

Guest: Dr Subramanian Swaminathan, Director of Infectious diseases at Gleneagles Hospital. Vice president clinical infectious diseases society of India.

Host: Zubeda Hamid

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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Does India need to be concerned about the avian flu outbreak? | In Focus podcast - The Hindu

WATCH: WHO says Bird flu risk to humans an 'enormous concern,' but what should you know? Apr 18, 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first laboratory-confirmed fatal human case of avian influenza A(H5N2) in Mexico.

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The avian influenza A (H5N2) had only previously been reported in birds.

On May 23, Mexican health officials confirmed a case of the H5N2 bird flu strain in a 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico, who had been hospitalized in Mexico City.

This is the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with an influenza A(H5N2) virus reported globally and the first avian H5 virus infection in a person reported in Mexico, the WHO said in a statement.

It started on April 17 when the patient, who has underlying health conditions, developed a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general malaise, the WHO said. On April 24, the patient sought medical care and was hospitalized and died the same day due to complications of his condition.

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Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, A(H5N2) viruses have been reported in poultry in Mexico, the WHO added.

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Based on available information, the WHO said it assessed the current risk to the general population posed by this virus as low.

The bird flu virus has been spreading among more animal species in several countries since 2020. The H5N1 strain was detected in U.S. dairy herds in March, and since then at least three people all workers at farms with infected cows have been diagnosed with bird flu, although the illnesses were considered mild.

With files from Reuters

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First-ever human death of bird flu strain H5N2 confirmed in Mexico: WHO - Global News

Elephant seals in South America died in massive numbers because the bird flu virus acquired mutations that allowed it to spread among mammals, according to a new study.

The research offers the first genetic and epidemiological evidence of bird flu virus transmission among mammals. And the findings hold a warning: The virus, called H5N1, may similarly transform to cause large-scale infections in other mammalian species, including people.

The bird flu virus is responsible for an ongoing outbreak in dairy cows in the United States. Since March, it has been detected in cows in nine states, and in wastewater from several others.

The virus may already be spreading from cow to cow, too, but federal officials have said that the more likely explanation for the outbreak is that it is spreading through contaminated milk.

H5N1 is also presumed to have spread among mink on a fur farm in Spain. But the new study is the first to pull together different streams of evidence that substantiate transmission from mammal to mammal.

The study was posted online on Saturday and has not been peer reviewed. But genetic analysis of the virus, and the scale and timing of infections in sea mammals in South America, all suggest that the animals acquired the virus from one another, not from infected birds, the researchers said.

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The Bird Flu Virus Adapted to Sea Mammals. It May Not Be Done Yet. - The New York Times