Teenager in British Columbia Tests Positive for Rare Bird Flu
- A teenager in Fraser Health, British Columbia tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
- The case is currently being treated at BC Children's Hospital, with confirmatory testing being conducted in Winnipeg.
- Public health officials are investigating the exposure source and assessing potential spread risks.
A teenager in British Columbia, under the jurisdiction of Fraser Health, is undergoing treatment after testing positive for bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain. The positive result was confirmed by the BC Centre for Disease Control and is pending further verification at Winnipeg's national microbiology lab. Authorities are investigating the source of the teen's exposure to the virus, suspected to be animal or bird-related. This case is particularly notable as human infections with H5N1 are rare, with only a few documented instances in the United States and globally. Public health officials, alongside the province's chief veterinarian, are taking precautionary measures to trace contacts and prevent potential further spread of the virus.