An Albertan has died of H5N1 after returning home from China. While health officials say the public is not at risk, they are contacting people who came into direct contact with the victim.
What is H5N1?
H5N1 is a bird flu virus that has caused outbreaks in domestic poultry in parts of China and the Middle East. It does not normally infect humans although Health Canada says there have been almost 650 human cases of H5N1 in 15 countries since 2003. There were 38 human cases in 2013, resulting in 24 deaths.
There are several strains of bird flu but H5N1 is the most pathogenic (capable of causing disease).
How is H5N1 spread?
Most human cases have occurred in people who have had contact with sick or dead poultry that were infected with the virus.
Unlike other types of flu, H5N1 is not usually spread by contact between people
You cannot become infected by handling properly cooked chicken or eggs.
What are the symptoms of H5N1?
Symptoms of the avian flu include fever and cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Complications include pneumonia respiratory failure, seizures and organ failure.
About 60 per cent of people infected with the virus have died from their illness.
READ MORE: Deadly case of avian flu kills Albertan
H5N1 prevention:
If travelling overseas, avoid visiting live poultry markets and avoid contact with infected people.
The anti-viral agent Tamiflu may be administered to people who have come into contact with an infected person.
Researchers in Thailand are collaborating with health agencies around the world on a clinical trial to test an H5N1 vaccine in nasal spray form.
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