Canadian Teen in Critical Condition With H5N1 Bird Flu as Source Remains Unidentified

Health officials confirm the teen's infection is linked to wild birds, raising concerns about potential virus adaptation to humans.

A British Columbia teenager is hospitalized in critical condition with H5N1 avian flu, marking Canada's first confirmed human case of the virus.
Extensive investigations have not identified the source of the infection, though genome sequencing links it to wild birds in the Fraser Valley area.
No additional human cases or evidence of human-to-human transmission have been detected, but experts warn of the virus's potential to adapt to humans.
Globally, researchers are monitoring H5N1 mutations that could increase its transmissibility among humans, with three recent North American cases raising concerns about undetected community spread.
Health officials urge precautions, including avoiding contact with sick or dead animals and contaminated environments, as H5N1 continues to affect millions of birds and mammals.