B.C. chief veterinarian Theresa Burns has issued an alert to veterinary clinics and wildlife rehabilitation centers, urging heightened precautions as cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) rise across the province. Clinics treating wild birds are reminded to establish strict safety protocols to protect staff and the public from potential exposure to the virus.

Reports of sick and deceased wild birds have increased recently, coinciding with confirmed HPAI outbreaks in both commercial and non-commercial poultry. Veterinarians handling wild bird cases are advised to prioritize isolating infected animals and ensure all staff are trained and equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE).

This alert comes as B.C. records its first presumptive human case of H5 avian influenza, marking the first known human infection acquired in Canada. A teenager from the province’s Fraser Health region is currently receiving care at BC Children’s Hospital, while a public health investigation seeks to determine the source of exposure.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, says, “This is a rare event, and while it is the first detected case of H5 in a person in B.C. or in Canada, there have been a small number of human cases in the U.S. and elsewhere, which is why we are conducting a thorough investigation to fully understand the source of exposure here in B.C.”

The source of exposure is believed to be an animal or bird and is currently under investigation by B.C.’s chief veterinarian in collaboration with public health teams. These include teams from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, BC Children’s Hospital, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, among others.