Canadian teen in critical condition with what is believed to be human case of bird flu
A Canadian teen is hospitalised in critical condition with what is believed to be bird flu, a British Columbia health official said Tuesday.
It’s not clear how the teenager picked up the virus, which has been detected recently in wild birds and poultry in the province, said Dr Bonnie Henry, British Columbia's health officer. The teen is not known to have any contact with infected animals, she said.
Officials have released few details about the patient. Henry said the teen was healthy before developing symptoms more than a week ago – initially eye redness, cough and fever – and has been hospitalised with a respiratory illness since Friday in Vancouver.
Initial testing indicated the infection is from bird flu. Officials believe it is the Type A H5N1 bird flu but are awaiting confirmation. H5N1 has been spreading widely in the US among wild birds, poultry, cows and a number of other animals. This year, 46 people in the US – mostly farmworkers – have tested positive with mostly mild symptoms.
In Canada, testing has been done on about three dozen people who were in contact with the teen. None of them have evidence of infection, Henry said.
Source: The Independent, 13 November 2024