Outbreak of H5N1 not expected in BC
Posted January 8, 2014 4:51 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The province says it’s unlikely anyone in BC is in danger of catching the H5N1 flu following the death of an Alberta resident who traveled through YVR.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall says human-to-human transmission is rare.
He is stressing that this is an isolated case. “The vast majority of human cases of H5N1 have been acquired from infected poultry. It is therefore extremely unlikely that any passengers or casual airport contacts of this case would have been put at risk.”
The victim went to China last month and died in hospital two days after returning to Alberta.
Kendall recommends avoiding poultry markets and livestock in China and making sure your food is thoroughly cooked.
BC farmers say it’s likely not a threat to their birds because the woman didn’t come in to contact with any poultry in BC.
