Health officials have confirmed a case of bird flu in a British Columbia teenager, with the virus being linked to a recent poultry outbreak in the province. The Public Health Agency of Canada stated that initial testing indicated the teenager's infection was from bird flu, which was later confirmed through further testing.
The teenager has been hospitalized in Vancouver since Friday and is currently in critical condition. It remains unclear how the teenager contracted the virus, as there is no known contact with infected animals. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, mentioned that the teen was previously healthy before developing symptoms such as eye redness, cough, and fever over a week ago.
H5N1 bird flu has been spreading among wild birds, poultry, and other animals in the U.S. This year, a total of 46 people in the U.S., mostly farmworkers, have tested positive for the virus with mostly mild symptoms. In Canada, approximately three dozen individuals who had contact with the teen were tested, but none showed evidence of infection.
Authorities are working to determine how the teenager was infected, although it may prove challenging to pinpoint the exact source. In British Columbia, the virus has been detected in poultry, wild birds, and some small animals, but not in dairy cows in the province.
Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus. The investigation into the source of the infection continues as efforts are made to protect public health and safety.
