Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s Public Health Officer (stock photo courtesy of the B.C. Government)

By Liam Verster

Avian Flu Infection Update

Avian flu has not spread to humans beyond one teenager, source still unconfirmed

Nov 26, 2024 | 4:49 PM

A B.C. teenager remains the only person in the province or country with a confirmed case of the avian flu.

An extensive, multi-agency investigation was launched after the youth tested positive for H5N1, which found there were no additional human infections nor any evidence of human-to-human transmission.

Advance testing by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Public Health Laboratory could not find any direct link between the human-infection and outbreaks at poultry farms, though health officials have also not been able to determine the source of the exposure to the virus, which is the same one that’s been found circulating in wild birds and poultry in the Fraser Valley area.

The teenager was hospitalized due to the infection on Nov. 9, and remained in care at B.C. Children’s hospital as of the latest update.

“Our thoughts continue to be with this young person as they remain in critical condition, and their family,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, said.

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“I am confident in the extensive public health investigation that was led by the Fraser Health team in partnership with the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, our partners at BC Children’s Hospital and the chief veterinary officer. Though we have not been able to determine definitively the source of exposure, we were able to rule out many potential risks and ensure there are no further cases related to this young person.”

This is the first case of H5N1 in a person in B.C., and the first ever acquired in Canada.

The Ministry of Health reminded the public to not touch and to keep pets away from sick or dead animals and their droppings; to not bring sick animals into their homes; to report dead or sick birds or animals; and report poultry and livestock infections to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Animal Health office.