B.C. investigating 1st presumptive human avian flu case caught in Canada [Video]

British Columbia health officials are investigating what’s believed to be the first human case of avian influenza caught in Canada after a teenager tested presumptively positive for the disease, the Ministry of Health announced Saturday.

The teenager, who the ministry says is from the Fraser Health region, is currently receiving care at B.C. Children’s Hospital while officials work to confirm the diagnosis and trace potential sources of exposure.

According to the statement, avian influenza — also known as bird flu — is a virus that primarily affects birds but can occasionally spread to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

B.C.’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says the case marks the first time H5 avian influenza has been caught by a person in Canada, as far as they know, although there have been isolated cases reported in the U.S. and other countries. 

“Our thoughts are with this …