Canada’s 1st human case detected in B.C. - Bird Flu

Health officials announced on Saturday that Canada has detected its first presumptive case of H5 bird flu in a person, specifically a teenager in British Columbia.

The teenager is currently being treated at B.C.’s Children’s Hospital. Health officials are investigating how the patient contracted the infection and are identifying anyone they may have been in contact with to prevent further spread.

Over the weekend, the province issued a statement saying that the teenager likely contracted the virus from a bird or another animal.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist, told Global News, “This is an infection that has the potential to turn into an epidemic or even a pandemic.”

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry stated that this infection is very rare, and her office is conducting a thorough investigation.

H5 bird flu is common among wild birds globally and has been causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows. There have also been several recent cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.

Scientists have stated that there is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the H5 bird flu. However, if such transmission were to occur, it could potentially lead to a pandemic.

Canada has not reported any cases of bird flu in dairy cattle, and there is no evidence of the virus in milk samples.

B.C. Children’s Hospital is reassuring healthcare workers, patients, and their parents that it is safe to seek care at the facility, following confirmation from the province that the teen with the bird flu is being treated there.