Statement

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) today confirmed a human case of avian influenza (also known as bird flu) caused by the influenza A(H5N1) virus in Canada.

November 13, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) today confirmed a human case of avian influenza (also known as bird flu) caused by the influenza A(H5N1) virus in Canada. This is the first human case of H5N1 avian flu contracted in the country.

On Saturday, November 9, the Office of the British Columbia Provincial Health Officer reported that a British Columbia teenager had been hospitalized and tested presumptively positive for H5 avian influenza. Today, the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg confirmed that the person has H5N1 avian influenza and that genomic sequencing results indicate that the virus is linked to H5N1 avian influenza virus from the ongoing poultry outbreak in British Columbia. (Influenza A (H5N1), clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D.1.1).

British Columbia authorities continue to undertake a thorough public health investigation and have taken significant steps, including contact tracing, testing and offering antiviral medications to contacts to prevent infection and contain any potential spread of the virus. No other cases have been identified at this time. The investigation has not yet determined how the individual became infected with avian flu.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provincial-territorial and local public health and animal health authorities, industry stakeholders and international partners for this answer.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) is rare and usually occurs after close contact with infected birds, other infected animals, or highly contaminated environments. These investigations can be difficult and it is not always possible to identify the source of the infection. Although an outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) is ongoing in dairy cattle in the United States, no cases of avian influenza have been reported in dairy cattle in Canada and there is no evidence of influenza avian in milk samples in Canada. Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Additionally, the clade of H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cattle in the United States is not the same as that confirmed in the human case acquired in British Columbia.

Based on current data, the risk of infection with avian influenza for the general public remains low at this time. The risk of infection with avian flu is higher for those exposed to infected animals without protection.

PHAC, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and our partners are actively monitoring and collaborating on the national and global avian influenza situation. We will continue to assess the risk of avian influenza in Canada based on new evidence.

“Our thoughts are with this individual and their family, as well as the healthcare workers who are caring for them during this difficult time. The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with our human and animal health partners to investigate and respond quickly to this situation. cases,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. “This detection was detected through hospital-based influenza surveillance, confirming that human influenza surveillance in British Columbia and Canada is effective in detecting avian influenza A(H5). We must continue to remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent the spread of avian influenza. between animals and towards humans.

As a general precaution to prevent avian flu infections, people should not handle live or dead wild birds or other wildlife, 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 precautionsincluding using personal protective measures to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading avian flu.

If you think you may have been exposed to avian flu, contact your healthcare provider and/or local public health authority for assessment and advice. Depending on the assessment by your local public health authority, you may be asked to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of avian flu for 10 days after your last exposure.

For more information on bird flu, who is at risk, symptoms and prevention measures, please click here.

Contacts

Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
[email protected]