Mexico confirmed the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in a girl from Durango, who died. SENASICA is strengthening surveillance at poultry farms. So far, there have been no impacts on commercial production. Preventive measures and constant monitoring are in place.
Following the confirmation of the first human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza in a girl from Durango, who has sadly died, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through the National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food
Quality, SENASICA, has reported that no effects have been reported in commercial poultry production units in the country .
However, SENASICA has intensified its active epidemiological surveillance efforts to monitor any potential cases in the avian population , ensuring that appropriate national and international protocols are implemented in a timely manner if new outbreaks are detected.
The agricultural sector, in collaboration with health authorities, maintains a constant monitoring system, conducting patrols and biological sampling in areas near the confirmed case. In addition, preventive measures have been taken to reduce the risk of transmission among birds and between animals and humans.
The Ministry of Agriculture, together with the Ministry of Health, reinforces recommendations for farms and slaughterhouses , such as the use of appropriate protective equipment (gloves, face masks, and protective clothing) in case of contact with birds or other animals, their products, and waste.
Authorities also urge producers to monitor their animals for any signs of illness or abnormal death and report them immediately to the appropriate authorities.
Despite the warning, SENASICA assures that eating well-cooked chicken or eggs does not pose a risk to human health.
Surveillance will continue to ensure that the agricultural sector remains free from outbreaks of avian influenza A(H5N1) and to protect both the animal and human populations.
DETECTION OF THE FIRST CASE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA IN MEXICO
The Mexican Ministry of Health has confirmed the detection of the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in the country. This case corresponds to a three-year-old girl, a resident of the state of Durango. On April 1, the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE) confirmed the diagnosis of influenza A (H5N1).
PATIENT’S CONDITION
The patient, who initially received treatment with oseltamivir, was hospitalized in a tertiary care unit in the city of Torreón. However, on April 8, 2025, Coahuila health authorities reported the girl’s death due to complications from H5N1 avian influenza . The child, who had been hospitalized on April 4, suffered organ failure, leading to her death at approximately 1:35 a.m. that day.
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS AFTER CONFIRMATION OF THE CASE
Once the case was confirmed, immediate measures were taken to control and prevent the spread of the disease:
Notification to WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) was notified in accordance with the protocol established in the International Health Regulations.
Training of Health Personnel
Health teams from the Durango and Coahuila Health Services were trained on the National Guide for the Preparation, Prevention, and Response to Zoonotic Influenza Outbreaks.
Case Search Operations
Operations have been initiated to search for cases of suspected viral respiratory illness in nearby areas.
Wildlife Sampling:
Semarnat and Conanp conducted surveys and took biological samples from wild birds in the area near the affected girl’s home, establishing a permanent monitoring system.
Surveillance in the Agricultural
Sector The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through the National Service of Health, Safety, and Agrifood Quality (SENASICA), has confirmed that, to date, no cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza have been reported in commercial production units in the country. However, SENASICA maintains active epidemiological surveillance to detect any potential cases.
Public Health Risk:
The WHO has assessed the public health risk of this virus as low, meaning that consumption of well-cooked chicken or eggs does not pose a risk to humans. Zoonotic influenza is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, but sustained human-to-human transmission has not been demonstrated.
RECOMMENDED PREVENTION MEASURES
The Ministry of Health has issued the following recommendations for the population:
Personal Hygiene
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or 70% alcohol solutions.
- Wear a face mask if you have respiratory symptoms and ventilate the space.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Safe Food Handling
- Wash your hands before handling cooked foods and after handling raw foods.
- Cook chicken and eggs properly (over 70°C).
- Do not use the same utensils to handle raw and cooked foods.
Precautions with Animals
- Avoid touching or approaching wild animals.
- Do not handle or pick up dead animals.
- Do not touch sick or dead birds or poultry without apparent cause.
Use of Protective Equipment on Farms
If you work on farms or in slaughterhouses, wear gloves, face masks, and protective clothing when in contact with birds or other animals and their products.
Animal Disease Surveillance
Monitor for the possible occurrence of abnormal diseases or deaths in farm animals and notify the authorities immediately.
MEDICAL ATTENTION IN CASE OF SYMPTOMS
The Ministry of Health recommends that if you experience symptoms such as fever, conjunctivitis (burning, itching, or redness of the eyes), cough, sore throat, runny nose, difficulty breathing, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, or altered consciousness, especially after having been in contact with sick or dead birds or animals, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Source: Information from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through the National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality, SENASICA, Mexico.