Summary

A teenager in British Columbia is critically ill with Canada’s first suspected human case of H5N1 bird flu, experiencing rapid deterioration and acute respiratory distress.

The teen, who had no farm exposure, developed symptoms on November 2 and was hospitalized on November 8.

Health officials are investigating the infection source and testing contacts, though no additional cases have been found.

While H5N1 transmission between humans remains rare, the virus is spreading in animals across North America, raising concerns of potential future outbreaks.