Bird flu alert in Canada as teen tests positive; officials launch investigation
Nov 12, 2024, 12:34 IST
In an unusual development, a teenager in British Columbia has become the first person in Canada to test positive for bird flu, the provincial health department announced. The youth is currently receiving treatment in a children's hospital for the H5 avian influenza strain, with the source of infection and potential contacts under active investigation.
According to British Columbia Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry, the infection likely came from an animal source. "This is a rare event," she noted. "We are conducting a thorough investigation to fully understand the source of exposure here in BC."
Bird flu, most commonly found in wild birds and poultry, can sometimes infect humans through close contact or contaminated environments. Scientists have voiced growing concerns as avian flu has recently been detected in mammals, and a recent outbreak in US cattle has added to fears. Although human infections remain rare, experts worry that an increased rate of transmission could eventually lead to a virus mutation that allows human-to-human spread.
The Canadian case comes shortly after another unusual incident in the United States, where a person in Missouri tested positive for bird flu without any known exposure to infected animals. While cases among farmworkers are known, these isolated incidents without clear animal sources add to the need for vigilance.
Despite the isolated cases, there has been no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of bird flu to date, which would otherwise signify a more serious public health risk. For now, health authorities in Canada are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread.
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According to British Columbia Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry, the infection likely came from an animal source. "This is a rare event," she noted. "We are conducting a thorough investigation to fully understand the source of exposure here in BC."
Bird flu, most commonly found in wild birds and poultry, can sometimes infect humans through close contact or contaminated environments. Scientists have voiced growing concerns as avian flu has recently been detected in mammals, and a recent outbreak in US cattle has added to fears. Although human infections remain rare, experts worry that an increased rate of transmission could eventually lead to a virus mutation that allows human-to-human spread.
The Canadian case comes shortly after another unusual incident in the United States, where a person in Missouri tested positive for bird flu without any known exposure to infected animals. While cases among farmworkers are known, these isolated incidents without clear animal sources add to the need for vigilance.
Despite the isolated cases, there has been no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of bird flu to date, which would otherwise signify a more serious public health risk. For now, health authorities in Canada are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread.