Although it will never be known whether the British Columbia teenager was hospitalized with a severe case of bird flu, H5n1, will make a full recovery – health officials say this is an opportunity to look at what we can learn for the future.
The teenager became the first seriously ill pediatric bird flu patient in North America earlier this fall and information was published this week in the New England Journal of Medicinedetailing his care.
The teen was determined to be no longer contagious on Nov. 29, was transferred to the pediatric ward on Dec. 4 and no longer required supplemental oxygen on Dec. 18, according to the case summary.
“What do we learn from this that we didn’t already know?” » Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, told Global News.
“Well, we already know that this is a potentially serious infection, as this case demonstrated. We already know that there are antiviral medications that can help slow the progress of the infection. Okay, that’s useful. We already know that this has epidemic potential and potential, and in the worst case, pandemic potential.
Bogoch said the more data we generate that gives health officials greater clinical experience in understanding and managing cases, the better.
However, he said the focus should be on preventing cases.
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“I think the key feature of this case, though, was that there was no obvious source, which is very concerning,” Bogoch added.
“In the United States, for example, there are more than 60 documented human cases of H5n1 in 2024, and all but two have an obvious source – either close contact with infected poultry or close contact with affected dairy cows. . But there are two that have no obvious source. And this is another case, the only one in Canada without an obvious source.
Bogoch said that’s concerning and that the worst-case scenario is that the virus spreads more easily from human to human.
Since January 1, this is no longer the case, Bogoch added, and the goal is to continue this way.
“We just don’t want to give this virus the opportunity to adapt and mutate, to be more transmissible between mammals, particularly, of course, between humans.
“And to achieve this, you must first avoid infection. »
Bogoch said everyone should avoid touching or picking up dead or sick wildlife, especially birds, and that people working with animals should ensure there are no repercussions for the animals. humans.