Mexico has reported its first human fatality from the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
A three-year-old girl from the northern state of Coahuila died early Tuesday morning due to multiple organ failure caused by the virus, according to Coahuila health minister Eliud Aguirre.
“We are monitoring all individuals who had close contact with the patient and conducting tests to determine if they are infected. So far, no one has tested positive,” Aguirre was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.
He also confirmed there were no suspected cases among close contacts of the child.
The victim had been hospitalised in the city of Torreón, which borders the girl’s home state of Durango, according to the health ministry.
As per news agency AP, the girl had initially received anti-flu treatment but remained in serious condition before her death. Mexican authorities are currently investigating the source of the infection and have launched testing of wild birds in the area near her home to identify any potential links.
It remains unclear how the child contracted the virus and officials have not confirmed any direct exposure to infected animals. Despite this fatal case, the health ministry has stated that the overall risk to the general public remains low.
Globally, H5N1 avian influenza has been spreading in both animals and a limited number of humans, primarily in the United States. According to the World Health Organization, there have been about 70 reported human cases in the US over the past year, though health experts believe the actual number could be higher.