This is a first in the world. A 59-year-old Mexican died on April 24 after contracting H5N2 avian flu, the WHO reported on Wednesday June 5. According to the UN organization, the 50-year-old developed fever, diarrhea, shortness of breath and nausea.
The circumstances of its contamination are not yet known. According to the WHO, the victim had not yet had ” no contact ” known with poultry. However, cases of H5N2 influenza had been discovered in wild poultry in the state of Michoacan (near the State of Mexico) where the victim lived.
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Although Mexican health authorities were reassuring and declared that there was no “no risk for the population”, this virus remains genetically unstable. Its mutability could increase its ability to infect new species, including humans.
Disease threatening the poultry industry
H5N2 influenza was first detected in Pennsylvania in 1983-1984. The impact is such that, within six months, this avian flu is considered highly pathogenic, displaying a mortality rate estimated at 90% according to The Animal Magan animal information magazine from the group West France.
Sporadic outbreaks were then reported in 2007, 2009 and then in 2010 in several Canadian provinces. But it was in 2014 that its outbreak and the successive infection of eleven poultry farms alerted the Fraser Health Authority, a Canadian health authority.
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Birds can be contaminated by direct contact with infected bird droppings or respiratory secretions. The virus can also survive in the environment, especially in water. When severely infected, poultry can suffer internal bleeding to the point of death.
H5N2 influenza can also exist in the low pathogenic form. If present, the disease can cause mild symptoms in birds such as lethargy or reduced egg production.
Vaccine, protection and surveillance
To counter the epidemic, a vaccine exists. Nobilis Influenza H5N2 was authorized in France from September 2006. According to ANSES, it began to be “used in parks (…) more or less regularly”, with the participation of the French-speaking Association of Zoological Park Veterinarians (AFVPZ).
“Despite the absence of scientific data concerning the effectiveness of the vaccine, feedback following AI outbreaks (Avian Influenza, Editor’s note) in zoological parks in 2021-2022, in France, seems to demonstrate a certain level of protection”, underlines ANSES in an October 2022 report.
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In addition to preventive vaccination of poultry, experts assure that this measure “must be accompanied by reinforced surveillance, which would make it possible to verify that there is no viral circulation despite vaccination” and recommend “preventive slaughter”,in the event of an epizootic.
In humans, infection can occur through direct contact with infected poultry or secretions through handling birds or cleaning cages. To protect yourself, health authorities recommend the use of gloves and eye protection.
