PHAC confirms 1st human case of avian influenza in Canada

  • National Newswatch

U.S. reports 67 cases so far

Ottawa- A suspected human case of avian influenza in a British Columbia teenager was caused by the H5N1 virus and is the first domestically acquired human case of avian influenza in the country, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed.

PHAC’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg confirmed that the individual had avian influenza and the genomic sequencing result indicates that the virus is related to the avian influenza viruses from the ongoing outbreak in B.C. poultry flocks.

B.C. officials continue to undertake a thorough public health investigation and have taken important actions including contact tracing, testing and offering antiviral medication to contacts to prevent infection and to contain any potential virus spread, PHAC said. There have been no further cases identified and the investigation has not yet determined how the individual became infected with avian influenza.

Meanwhile the U.S. Center for Disease Control says there been 67 human bird flu cases in the US since April 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 122 commercial and backyard flocks tested positive nationwide in December, up from 62 in November.

PHAC said it is working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provincial and local public health and animal health authorities, industry stakeholders and international partners in responding to human infections from the poultry disease. It usually occurs after close contact with infected birds, other infected animals or highly contaminated environments. “These investigations can be challenging and it is not always possible to identify the source of the infection.

“While there is an ongoing outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) in dairy cattle in the U.S., no cases of avian influenza have been reported in dairy cattle in Canada and there is no evidence of avian influenza in samples of milk in Canada. Milk and milk products that have been pasteurized are safe to consume. Furthermore, the genotype of H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cattle in the U.S. is not the same as the genotype confirmed in the domestically acquired human case in British Columbia.”

The risk of avian influenza infection for the public remains low at this time although it is higher for those who have unprotected exposure to infected animals.
The situation is being closely monitored and the risk the disease poses will continue to be assessed based on new, emerging evidence.

"Our thoughts are with this individual and their family, as well as the health workers who are engaged in their care at this difficult time. The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with our human and animal health partners to swiftly investigate and respond to this case", said Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada. “This detection was picked up via hospital -based influenza surveillance, confirming that human influenza surveillance in British Columbia and Canada is effective at detecting avian influenza A(H5). We must continue to remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent the spread of avian influenza between animals and to humans.”

PHAC said people should not handle live or dead wild birds or other wild animals and should keep pets away from sick or dead animals. People who work with sick animals or in contaminated environments, such as farmers, should take precautions including using personal protective measures to reduce the risk of getting or spreading avian influenza.

This news item prepared for National Newswatch