Bird flu kills man, 59, in Mexico after he became first person to contract new strain of virus

THE World Health Organization has reported a human death from a new strain of bird flu.

The 59-year-old resident of Mexico had died on April 24 after developing a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, nausea and general discomfort.

Reuters

WHO has reported a human death from a new strain of bird flu[/caption]

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.”

The victim had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals, WHO said.

Cases of A(H5N2) subtype of avian influenza have been reported in poultry in Mexico.

The person had been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms, WHO said.