British Columbia’s Ministry of Well being says the primary suspected human case of hen flu contracted in Canada has been detected in B.C. 

A press release from the workplace of the provincial well being officer says a teen within the area lined by Fraser Well being examined optimistic for hen flu, and the teenager is presently getting therapy at BC Kids’s Hospital. 

The assertion says the optimistic take a look at was performed by the BC Centre for Illness Management, and samples are on their approach to Winnipeg’s nationwide microbiology lab for confirmatory testing.

It says public well being officers are additionally wanting into the case to search out the supply of publicity and determine any contacts. 

Provincial well being officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says it’s “a uncommon occasion” and solely a handful of instances of hen flu, brought on by the H5N1 pressure of the avian influenza virus, have been detected in people within the U.S. and overseas. 

The assertion says the supply of the teenager’s publicity to the virus may be very more likely to be from an animal or hen, whereas public well being officers and the province’s chief veterinarian examine. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Nov. 9, 2024.