Health officials in British Columbia, Canada, have concluded their investigation into the mysterious case of a teenager who contracted H5N1 bird flu. The province’s public health officer, Bonnie Henry, announced on Tuesday that the investigation has been closed as they have exhausted all leads in determining how the teen became infected.
The teenager, whose identity remains undisclosed, is currently in serious condition in the hospital, requiring a ventilator to breathe. Despite the severity of the illness, Henry expressed optimism about the teen’s recovery, noting signs of progress in recent days.
The investigation revealed that the H5N1 virus strain infecting the teenager belongs to clade 2.3.4.4b and genotype D1.1, different from the strain affecting dairy cows in the United States. This strain has been primarily isolated from wild birds and has caused multiple outbreaks in poultry farms in British Columbia.
Further analysis of the virus showed potential mutations that could enhance its ability to infect humans. However, the teenager is no longer carrying the mutated virus, reducing the risk of further transmission. All individuals who came into contact with the teen while infectious tested negative for the virus, including healthcare workers and family members.
Despite extensive testing on animals, including birds, rodents, dogs, cats, and reptiles, no positive cases were detected. The closest match to the virus strain was found in cackling geese that were discovered dead in the Fraser Valley, suggesting a possible intermediary host between the birds and the teenager.
Henry emphasized the importance of continued vigilance to prevent future cases and highlighted the challenges in tracing the exact source of the infection. Similar to a case in Missouri earlier this year, where the source of infection remained elusive, the origin of the teenager’s exposure may never be definitively determined.
While the investigation has concluded for now, health officials remain vigilant and urge the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The teenager’s case serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of viruses and the importance of ongoing surveillance and preparedness in public health efforts.
