Mexico has confirmed its first human infection with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, according to a statement from the country’s health ministry on 4th of March.
The case involves a three-year-old girl from the northern state of Durango, who is currently hospitalized in serious condition. The diagnosis was confirmed on 1st of March.
Authorities emphasized that there is currently no indication of sustained human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to assess the overall risk to the general public as low.
A particularly aggressive form of H5N1 has been circulating globally in animals since 2020, leading to deadly outbreaks in poultry and occasional cases in various species, including alpacas and domestic cats. In a concerning development, the virus was also identified in cattle for the first time last year.
Durango’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly livestock farming.
In a related case last year, the WHO reported Mexico’s first confirmed human infection with the A(H5N2) bird flu strain. The individual had no known contact with animals and later died due to underlying health conditions.
