Bird flu outbreak: 3-years-old girl dies in Mexico

In a deeply saddening development, the Mexican health authorities on Tuesday April 8, 2025, confirmed the country’s first human case of bird flu .

This comes after a 3-year-old girl from Durango State tragically passed away due to complications from the virus.

According to report, the child, whose identity remains undisclosed, was said to have been admitted to a hospital in the neighbouring Coahuila State following severe respiratory distress.

According to a statement released by Mexico’s Health Ministry on Tuesday, she succumbed to the illness earlier that day.

Health officials identified the strain as Type A H5N1 influenza, a deadly variant of the bird flu virus which has been circulating in both animals and humans in the United States.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that at least 70 human infections have been documented in the U.S.

In the past years, health experts believe the true figure may be higher due to underreporting.

Health officials in Mexico had announced the young girl’s case last Friday, raising a health investigations.

Authorities are currently testing wild birds in the area surrounding her home to determine the source of the infection, which remains unknown at this time.

In a bit of relief, the Ministry stated that 38 individuals who had close contact with the child have all tested negative for the virus.

The overall risk of further human transmission is currently considered low.

The development has raised fresh concerns over the spread of avian influenza globally.

Globally, health experts have continue to monitor its trajectory and possible threat to public health.

Meanwhile, Bird flu, known as avian influenza, has become a major health concern around the world.

Health authorities report that the H5N1 strain has now spread to 108 countries across five continents.

In the United States, the virus is ravaging wild birds and has infected poultry and dairy cows.

Several human infections have been recorded among poultry and dairy workers in affected states.

Over 500 bird species and 70 mammals, including polar bears and California condors, have caught the virus.

Officials confirmed that endangered animals are not spared from the highly contagious avian influenza.

In the U.S., human cases remain isolated, with the public health risk currently classified as low.

However, experts say the risk is moderate to high for people in close contact with infected animals.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is monitoring individuals exposed to infected animals closely.

CDC is working with local authorities to track those who had direct animal contact.

Globally, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged international collaboration against the virus.

Health groups, including CDC, are increasing surveillance and monitoring to contain further spread of the disease.

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