Sun Nov 10 17:24:02 UTC 2024: ## Canada Confirms First Human Case of Avian Flu
**Vancouver, British Columbia** – Health authorities in British Columbia have confirmed Canada’s first human case of avian flu, specifically the H5 strain. The infected individual is a teenager who is currently undergoing treatment at a children’s hospital.
Officials believe the teenager contracted the virus from a bird or animal, and are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the source of exposure.
While the risk to the general public remains low, the case has raised concerns about potential human-to-human transmission. Although there is no evidence of this happening currently, scientists warn that a pandemic could unfold if person-to-person spread occurs.
The H5 avian flu has been widespread in wild birds globally and has caused outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows in the US. Several human cases have been identified among dairy and poultry workers in the US, prompting the CDC to recommend testing even for asymptomatic farm workers who have been exposed to infected animals.
In Canada, British Columbia has reported at least 22 infected poultry farms since October, with numerous wild birds also testing positive. While no cases have been found in dairy cattle and no evidence of bird flu has been detected in milk samples, the recent human case serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing monitoring and preventative measures.
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