Bird flu: What we know about Canada's first human case discovered in B.C

Canada has detected its first suspected case of H5 bird flu in a person, a teenager in B.C., health officials said Saturday.

The teen remains at BC Children's Hospital and health officials assure the public they are working to find out how the patient contracted the infection and who else they may have contacted.

The teenager likely contracted the virus from a bird or animal, the province said in a statement this weekend.

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

“If there are more infections spreading from birds to mammals, the birds could mutate… and be more easily transmissible.”

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said this infection is very rare and her office is conducting a full investigation.

H5 bird flu is widespread among wild birds worldwide, causing outbreaks in poultry and American dairy cows, with several recent human cases among American dairy farmers and poultry workers.

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There is so far no evidence of person-to-person spread. But if that were to happen, a pandemic could result, scientists say.

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H5 bird flu detected in teenager

In Canada, British Columbia has identified 23 infected poultry farms since October and numerous wild birds have tested positive, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

No cases have been reported in dairy cattle in Canada and there is no evidence of bird flu in milk samples.

“There is no evidence at this time that human cases are linked to BC farms,” said Shawn Hall of the BC Poultry Association.

“In the US, where some cases have occurred, all of those cases have been traced back to close and prolonged exposure to sick or dead animals.”

Health Canada says the mortality rate for human cases hovers at just over 50 per cent, noting the statistic may be an overestimate as mild infections can go undetected.

Everyone is urged to stay away from sick or dead animals.

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H5 bird flu: BC reports first suspected case of bird flu in humans

BC Children's Hospital is assuring health care workers, patients and their parents that it is safe to seek care there, in light of the province's confirmation that the affected teen is being treated there.

“We remain vigilant in our infection prevention and control measures throughout the year, such as using point-of-care risk assessments for PPE use in all patient interactions, practicing excellent hand hygiene measures and diligent cleaning measures,” the organization said in a statement .

-with files from Reuters

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