First human case of Avian Flu detected in BC

BC health officials have launched a public health investigation into what is believed to be the first human case of avian flu acquired in Canada.

The virus was detected in a teenager from the Fraser Health region. The teen was admitted to BC Children’s Hospital late Friday evening, November 8, and remains in critical condition.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the infected individual’s symptoms started on November 2.

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is caused by the H5 virus. The positive test for H5 was conducted at the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Public Health Laboratory, but Henry says the results are presumptive until samples sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Manitoba confirm the findings.

The teen was not in school during the infection period, and Henry says the public health investigation aims to determine the source of exposure and any contacts.

“We’ve been following up over these last few days to ensure that all family, friends, and contacts have been identified in the community. Our public health teams are also following up with health-care workers who have been in contact with this young person.” said Henry.

Officials have tested around three dozen people who were in contact with the infected teen for influenza to make sure there are no hidden, asymptomatic, or mild infections.

Henry says there are around 25 premises in BC affected by the virus in poultry; however, the teenager has no connection to any of these sites.

“Right now we have no specific source identified, but the testing is ongoing in partnership with our veterinary colleagues, and we’ll be continuing that investigation very thoroughly.” said Henry.

This is the only human case of the disease at this time. Meanwhile, Henry says the source of exposure is very likely to be an animal or bird, which is being investigated by BC’s Chief Veterinarian and public health teams.

There has only been one other human case of the virus in Canada, detected in Alberta in 2014. However, Henry says this person had likely acquired it while travelling in China.

“This case that we have here in British Columbia right now is the first known human case acquired here in Canada and in British Columbia. H5N1 has been circulating across North America, and this is our sixth season of seeing expanded outbreaks in waterfowl in particular. In the US this year, there have been 46 confirmed human cases, but almost all of them have been in dairy workers where this virus has entered dairy herds in the US.”

There have been no infections in dairy cows in Canada or in BC, but Henry says it’s important for the public to know that the virus can be present in milk, particularly unpasteurized milk, which can be a mode of transmission.

Humans can become infected by inhaling the virus in aerosols or droplets that enter the eyes, back of the throat, nose, or deep into the lungs.

Symptoms in humans range from mild to severe, sometimes presenting as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and mild respiratory symptoms. Historically, most human cases have been linked to exposure and direct contact with sick birds or animals.

“There have been very few cases that might have been transmitted from person to person, so in some ways, this is reassuring in that this virus doesn’t seem to spread easily between people if they get infections. However, it also causes very severe illness, particularly in young people,” said Henry.

The investigation involves public health teams from Fraser Health, BCCDC, the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, BC Children’s Hospital, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, the Office of the Chief Veterinarian, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and others.

Health, animal, and environmental partners across BC have also been working together and with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and other national and U.S. partners to respond to the increased detections of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry farms and wild birds in the province since early October.

Prevention Measures

To protect yourself against avian influenza, the Province recommends the following prevention measures:

• Stay up to date on all immunizations, especially the seasonal flu vaccine.
• Do not touch sick or dead animals or their droppings, and do not bring sick wild animals into your home.
• Keep your pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces.
• Report dead or sick birds or animals.

If you have been exposed to sick or dead birds or animals, or work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, watch for symptoms of influenza-like illness.

If you develop symptoms within 10 days after exposure to sick or dead animals, the Province advises you to inform your health-care provider about the contact with sick animals and any concerns regarding avian influenza. This will help them provide appropriate advice on testing and treatment.

“Staying home when you’re sick is incredibly important, as is staying away from others. If your symptoms continue to worsen, if you have a prolonged fever that doesn’t improve, or if you experience shortness of breath, these are signs that you may have something more serious and need to seek medical attention,” said Henry.

– Files from Storrm Lennie, My Nelson Now staff