Authorities in Mexico reported a death associated with H5N2 influenza infection to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization.  The decedent was a 59-year-old male resident of Mexico City with predisposing health conditions.  It is questioned whether the patient died with or from H5N2 infection.  Initially the viral isolate was identified as a “non-subtypable influenza A virus.”  Subsequent assay by the Mexico National Influenza Center confirmed H5N2.

No additional cases were identified among contacts of the decedent based on RT-PCR assay.  Results of serology are pending.

Low pathogenicity H5N2 was diagnosed in flocks in Texcoco de Mora (near Mexico City) in March 2024 but the strain has circulated in poultry since 2022.

The ProMED report emphasizes the need for characterization of influenza A isolates from patients and ongoing cooperation between hospitals and WHO collaborating centers offering specific sub-type identification in addition to genome sequencing.

Based on available information the WHO regards risk to the general population from H5N2 to be extremely low.  This classification could be amended if additional H5N2 cases emerge in the livestock, poultry, or human populations.