Canadian teen in critical condition with suspected case of bird flu
A Canadian teen was taken to hospital in critical condition and is believed to be bird fluBritish Columbia provincial health officials said Tuesday.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said it’s unclear how the teenager contracted the virus, which has recently been found in wild birds and poultry in the province. She said it was not known the teen had any contact with infected animals.
Officials have not released some details about the patient. Henry said the teen had been healthy until he developed symptoms more than a week ago, initially with red eyes, cough and fever, and has been hospitalized in Vancouver since Friday with a respiratory illness.
Preliminary tests indicate the infection is from avian influenza. Officials believe it is H5N1 avian influenza A but are awaiting confirmation. The H5N1 virus has become widespread in wild birds, poultry, cattle, and many other animals in the United States.
In Canada, about three dozen people who came into contact with the teen have been tested. None of them had evidence of infection, Henry said.
Officials are trying to figure out how the teen became infected, although Henry said that may never be determined. In British Columbia, the virus has been detected in poultry, wild birds and some small animals, primarily when birds migrate through the area.
The Canadian case is in the Fraser Valley region of southern British Columbia.
So far this year, at least 46 people in the United States, mostly farmworkers, have tested positive, mostly with mild symptoms.
according to According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 of the patients are in California, 11 in Washington state, 10 in Colorado, two in Michigan, and one each in Missouri and Texas. patient.
All but one U.S. case has been traced to cattle or poultry. Source of Missouri’s only case Unknown, the CDC said.
