First Human Cases of H5N1 Bird Flu Reported in Canada and U.S.
A Canadian teenager and several U.S. farm workers test positive for H5N1, raising concerns over the spread of the virus among animal industry workers.
- A teenager in British Columbia is the first person in Canada to contract H5N1, with the infection linked to local poultry outbreaks.
- The U.S. has confirmed 46 human cases this year, primarily among farm workers, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
- British Columbia's chief veterinarian has urged clinics to implement protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu from wild birds.
- The virus has significantly impacted poultry and dairy industries in North America, leading to millions of birds being culled.
- Health authorities emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low, but caution is advised for those in close contact with infected animals.