An epidemiologic investigation into a Chilean man's H5 avian flu infection has found that environmental exposure is the most likely source, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today in an update. The 53-year-old man's infection marked the second such case from South America.
The man is from Antofagasta region in northern Chile. He had no underlying health conditions or recent travel. His symptoms began on March 13, and he was hospitalized on March 22 after his condition worsened. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he received oseltamivir and was placed on a ventilator due to pneumonia. A bronchoalveolar swab was positive for an unsubtypeable influenza A virus, which was further characterized as H5.
So far, contact monitoring hasn't identified any related infections, though one health worker has respiratory symptoms and is undergoing further testing.
The WHO said between December and February, highly pathogenic avian flu was tested in Antofagasta region wild birds (pelicans and penguins) and sea mammals (sea lions). The WHO said the man may have had environmental exposure in areas close to his house where either sick birds or mammals were found.