Teenager in Critical Condition Due to Presumptive Human Case of Avian Influenza in British Columbia

A teenager is in critical condition at a children’s hospital in British Columbia, suffering from Canada’s first presumptive human case of avian influenza. Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry announced the case in a news conference and emphasized that the teenager was healthy prior to this incident, indicating the severity of the situation. The swift deterioration of the patient's health underscores the potential impact of this virus on young individuals.

Teen with bird flu in Canada hospitalized

Health officials in British Columbia confirmed that a teenager was diagnosed with the H5 bird flu, marking Canada’s first human case. Although the exact strain is still being identified, it is assumed to be H5N1. According to the World Health Organization, the risk of H5N1 to humans is low, primarily due to the lack of evidence of human transmission. However, the virus has been detected in an increasing number of animals, including cattle in the United States.

Symptoms and Exposure

While the teenager's gender and age have not been disclosed, it was revealed that they first exhibited symptoms on November 2 and were admitted to the hospital on November 8, after undergoing testing. The reported symptoms included conjunctivitis, fever, and coughing. As of Tuesday, the teenager was hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Notably, the individual had no farm exposure, but had been in contact with dogs, cats, and reptiles, suggesting a potential avenue of transmission. Investigations are ongoing to identify the source of the infection.

The bird flu has significantly affected the dairy industry in the United States, with nearly 450 farms across 15 states reporting infections. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 46 human cases of bird flu since April. In Canada, British Columbia has reported at least 26 premises affected by the virus, with numerous wild birds also testing positive. It is important to note that Canada has not reported any cases in dairy cattle or found evidence of bird flu in milk samples

Experts acknowledge the historical ability of H5N1 to cause critical and fatal illness, although recent cases involving this subtype have tended to be milder. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, emphasized the importance of confirming whether the strain is indeed H5N1 and determining its subtype. This confirmation will aid in assessing the potential severity of the situation and implementing appropriate measures to protect public health.