First-ever human case of H5 avian influenza in Canada found in B.C.: officials
CTV
B.C. health officials say they have detected Canada's first-ever case of H5 avian influenza in a human.
B.C. health officials say they have detected Canada's first-ever case of H5 avian influenza in a human.
In a news release Saturday afternoon, the office of the provincial health officer said a positive test for the H5 influenza virus was performed at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's public health laboratory.
Samples are now being sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, the office said.
Pending confirmation from the national laboratory, B.C. officials are referring to the situation as a "presumptive case" of bird flu.
The person who tested positive is a teenager from B.C.'s Fraser Health region, which stretches from Burnaby to Hope. The infected teen is being treated at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver, according to the statement.
"Our thoughts are with this young person and their family during this difficult time," said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, in the release.
"This is a rare event, and while it is the first detected case of H5 in a person in B.C. or in Canada, there have been a small number of human cases in the U.S. and elsewhere, which is why we are conducting a thorough investigation to fully understand the source of exposure here in B.C."
