After the many bird flu cases, especially in humans noted in the United States, the first death in human case of bird flu is reported from Mexico. The patient was a 3-year-old girl from western Mexico who died after she contracted bird flu. This is also the country's first confirmed human case of bird flu. The patient is from the state of Durango and died early Tuesday after she had been hospitalized with respiratory complications, which were caused by the infection.The patient was admitted to a hospital in the neighboring state of Coahuila. Health officials had announced on Friday that her to be country's first human infection. However, the source of the virus is not known. Health investigators are now testing wild birds in the vicinity of the deceased's home.In terms of if anyone else made contact with the girl, the number is 38. However, all of their reports came back negative for bird flu. As per the official statement, the risk of more human infection currently remains low.PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: 3-Year-Old Tests Positive For Bird Flu In Mexico- Experts Warn Of Rising Human RiskWhich Virus Had Been Spreading?While H5N1 bird flu has been present in bird populations for decades, the last few years have produced a disturbing increase in its host range. In the United States alone, at least 70 people were infected in the last year, reports the World Health Organization (WHO), although experts estimate the true figure may be many times higher because of restricted testing and lack of reporting.What was previously thought to be an avian-exclusive pathogen is now infecting an increasing band of species, small mammals, and, more recently, cattle. The virus's expanding capability for interspecies jumping dramatically increases the stakes for human health.A new study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides new evidence on why this outbreak—and future outbreaks—may become more deadly. Released in the peer-reviewed journal eBioMedicine, the research highlights how quickly the H5N1 virus is mutating to infect mammals and evade immune systems.What Is Happening In the US?In the US, the strategy to deal with the virus is something most healthcare professionals do not approve of. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy Jr has asked to let bird flu naturally spread through poultry farms. This is so that "herd immunity" can be developed. He suggested that instead of culling the birds, the farmers should allow the virus to run its course through the flock to identify naturally immune birds. He told Fox News, "We can identify the birds and preserve the birds that are immune to it."However, experts, including the veterinary experts say that this could in fact backfire. Dr Gail Hansen, who was a former state veterinarian for Kansas, told The New York Times, "that's a really terrible idea for any one of a number of reasons."Have There Been Any Developments In Screening Of Bird Flu Cases?As published in the journal ACS Sensors, scientists have now created a handheld sensor that can quickly detect H5N1 in the air. This could help stop the outbreak even before it spreads.The device has a built-in-air sampler, which collects airborne virus droplets and turns them into a liquid sample. When the virus binds to the sensor, it changes the device's ability to hold an electrical charge. This allows the scientists to measure virus levels.