Canada Confirms First Human Case of Bird Flu

A teenager in British Columbia has become the first person in Canada to test positive for bird flu, specifically the H5 avian flu strain. The patient is being treated at a children’s hospital, and authorities are working to trace the source of the infection and identify any potential contacts.

While bird flu is typically found in wild birds and poultry, recent cases have shown that it can also infect mammals, including cattle in the United States. Human infections usually occur through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

Though this case is rare, scientists are concerned about the increasing number of mammals contracting bird flu, as it could potentially evolve into a form that allows human-to-human transmission. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest sustained human-to-human transmission.