The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first human death caused by the A(H5N2) variant of avian influenza, also known as bird flu. The individual, a 59-year-old resident of Mexico, showed symptoms of fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and general discomfort on April 17. He was hospitalized in Mexico City on April 24 and died the same day. Testing revealed he had influenza A(H5N2), despite no known exposure to poultry or animals.
The individual had pre-existing health conditions, including chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and systemic hypertension. Avian influenza primarily affects birds but has been found in other animals in various countries. It spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure, proving fatal in domestic poultry.
Although the source of the infection is unknown, several cases of avian influenza have been reported in Mexico recently. The WHO stated that A(H5N2) viruses have been found in Mexican poultry. This case marks the first confirmed human infection with A(H5N2) globally and the first avian H5 virus infection in Mexico.
An epidemiological investigation found no additional cases of the virus among those in contact with the individual. The WHO reassured that the current risk to the general population from this virus is low and unrelated to the H5N1 outbreak detected in the United States. Australia also reported its first human case of A(H5N1) this year, with no signs of transmission. Additional poultry cases of H7 bird flu were found in farms in Victoria state.
The WHO emphasized that the risk of transmission remains low, and the situation is being closely monitored. Please rewrite this sentence.
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