BC discovers Canada’s first human case of bird flu: officials

British Columbia health authorities say they have discovered Canada’s first human case of H5 bird flu.

In a news release Saturday afternoon, the provincial health officer’s office said a positive test for the H5 influenza virus was conducted at the BC Center for Disease Control public health laboratory.

The samples will now be sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, the office said.

Pending confirmation from the national laboratory, British Columbia officials are calling the situation a “presumptive case” of bird flu.

The person who tested positive is a teenager from the Fraser Health region of British Columbia, which stretches from Burnaby to Hope. According to the statement, the infected teen is being treated at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

“Our thoughts are with this young person and his family at this difficult time,” said Dr. BC Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry said in the news release.

“This is a rare event and although this is the first case of H5 detected in a person in British Columbia or Canada, there have only been a small number of human cases in the United States and elsewhere, which is why we are conducting a thorough investigation.” to fully understand the source of exposure here in BC.

The public health investigation will also identify all contacts of the infected person, screen them for symptoms and provide guidance on testing and prevention, Henry’s office said.

“The source of exposure is most likely an animal or bird and is being investigated by British Columbia’s senior veterinary and public health teams,” the release said.

Provincial officials have also been working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and “other national and U.S. partners” since early October to respond to an increase in H5N1 avian influenza on poultry farms in British Columbia and in wild birds in the province, the provincial health officer said .

According to Henry’s office, at least 22 infected poultry plants have been discovered since the beginning of last month. “Numerous” wild birds also tested positive.

Earlier this month, a petting zoo on Vancouver Island was forced to euthanize its entire flock of chickens and ducks due to an outbreak of the disease.

British Columbia health authorities recommended several “prevention measures” people should take to protect themselves from bird flu.

Those measures included staying up to date on vaccinations — especially the seasonal flu vaccine — keeping pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces, and reporting dead or sick birds or other animals.

“If you have been exposed to sick or dead birds or animals or work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, be alert for symptoms of influenza-like illness,” the release said.

“If you notice symptoms within 10 days of contact with sick or dead animals, tell your doctor that you have been in contact with sick animals and are concerned about bird flu. This will help give you appropriate advice on testing and treatment. Stay home and stay away from others while you have symptoms.”