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British Columbia has registered Canada's first human case of H5 avian influenza. A teenager from the Fraser Health region is receiving care at the province's Children's Hospital. This is the first known human case of H5 avian influenza acquired in the country. Authorities have already begun investigations to identify the source of exposure and possible close contacts.
Case Details and Testing for Avian Flu in Canada
- The Public Health Laboratory at the Centre for Disease Control Canada performed the initial testing for H5, and samples were sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for confirmation. This case highlights the importance of monitoring infectious diseases and establish response protocols for possible outbreaks.
- Authorities suspect the exposure occurred through contact with a bird or animal. Public health and veterinary teams are collaborating to determine the source of the infection.
These teams are collaborating with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and national and international partners to manage the increase in detections of H5N1 avian influenza in wild birds and poultry farms in British Columbia beginning in October 2024.
Preventive measures
To protect yourself from bird flu, it is recommended to stay up to date with vaccinations, especially for seasonal flu. In addition, it is advised to avoid contact with sick or dead animals, as well as their droppings. Experts recommend keeping pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces and reporting dead or sick birds or animals to local authorities.
If you have been in contact with sick birds or animals, be on the lookout for flu-like symptoms. The same applies if you have worked on a farm with cases of bird flu.
British Columbia Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said, “While this is the first case of H5 in a person in BC or Canada, we have seen cases in the US and elsewhere. We are conducting a thorough investigation to fully understand the source of exposure here in BC.”
About Avian Flu
Avian influenza is caused by viruses that occur naturally in wild waterfowl and are easily transmitted between birds. Since 2022, the H5N1 virus has shown unprecedented global spread, primarily affecting birds, although infections have also been reported in mammals.
In British Columbia, the H5N1 virus has been detected in wild birds, poultry farms, and small mammals such as foxes and skunks, especially during migrations. Since October 2024, at least 22 poultry farms and numerous wild birds in BC have tested positive for H5N1.
