BEWARE! Canada Reports First Human Case of H5 Bird Flu
According to local officials, a teenager in the Canadian province of british Columbia has tested positive for H5 bird flu, making it the nation's first human case. It was not immediately apparent where the illness originated. According to a provincial government statement, the patient is a teenager from the Fraser health District who is receiving treatment at bc Children's Hospital. Information on their ailments or symptoms was not made public right away.
"This young person and their family are in our thoughts during this trying time," said Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer for british Columbia. We are undertaking a comprehensive investigation to thoroughly understand the source of exposure here in british Columbia since this is an unusual event and, although it is the first detected case of H5 in a person in british Columbia or Canada, there have been a few human instances in the U.S. and abroad.
Although no further instances were found right away, public health authorities are checking in with everybody who may have had contact with the patient to see if there are any potential symptoms or tests. Although it hasn't been verified yet, officials stated that an animal or bird is "very likely" to be the infection's source.
H5N1 avian flu, which has been circulating the globe in recent years, is most likely the cause of the sickness. According to CBC News, the H5N1 virus has been discovered in a variety of places in british Columbia in recent weeks, including 22 chicken farms, a petting farm, wild birds, and small animals like foxes and skunks.
The global spread of a more recent strain of H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, and the increasing number of cases in animals, particularly outbreaks among dairy cows in the United States, have sparked concerns. Following interaction with infected cows or birds, a small but increasing number of human cases have been documented.
This year, there have been 63 recorded human cases of H5N1 bird flu, including 49 in the United States, 10 in Cambodia, and one each in Australia, Canada, China, and Vietnam. The newer variety, clade 2.3.4.4b, was the exclusive cause of the U.S. cases, which included 21 in California, 14 in Washington, 10 in Colorado, 2 in Michigan, and one each in texas and Missouri.
Despite having no known connections to contaminated animals, a patient in Missouri tested positive for H5N1 avian flu in September. After being admitted to the hospital, the patient is now well. There have been no other instances recorded, but the infection's origin is still unknown.
"This young person and their family are in our thoughts during this trying time," said Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer for british Columbia. We are undertaking a comprehensive investigation to thoroughly understand the source of exposure here in british Columbia since this is an unusual event and, although it is the first detected case of H5 in a person in british Columbia or Canada, there have been a few human instances in the U.S. and abroad.
Although no further instances were found right away, public health authorities are checking in with everybody who may have had contact with the patient to see if there are any potential symptoms or tests. Although it hasn't been verified yet, officials stated that an animal or bird is "very likely" to be the infection's source.
H5N1 avian flu, which has been circulating the globe in recent years, is most likely the cause of the sickness. According to CBC News, the H5N1 virus has been discovered in a variety of places in british Columbia in recent weeks, including 22 chicken farms, a petting farm, wild birds, and small animals like foxes and skunks.
The global spread of a more recent strain of H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, and the increasing number of cases in animals, particularly outbreaks among dairy cows in the United States, have sparked concerns. Following interaction with infected cows or birds, a small but increasing number of human cases have been documented.
This year, there have been 63 recorded human cases of H5N1 bird flu, including 49 in the United States, 10 in Cambodia, and one each in Australia, Canada, China, and Vietnam. The newer variety, clade 2.3.4.4b, was the exclusive cause of the U.S. cases, which included 21 in California, 14 in Washington, 10 in Colorado, 2 in Michigan, and one each in texas and Missouri.
Despite having no known connections to contaminated animals, a patient in Missouri tested positive for H5N1 avian flu in September. After being admitted to the hospital, the patient is now well. There have been no other instances recorded, but the infection's origin is still unknown.