China - H5N1 death in Alberta, Canada upon return from China trip - died from meningoencephalitis

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/W...432/story.html

Woman who flew through Vancouver dies in North America's first H5N1 bird flu case
The unidentified woman began to fill ill on a flight from Beijing to Vancouver
By Sharon Kirkey, Postmedia News January 8, 2014 3:06 PM

...The unidentified woman began to fill ill on a flight from Beijing to Vancouver, on Air Canada flight number 030, and Vancouver to Edmonton, Air Canada flight 244, on Dec. 27.

The woman went to hospital with symptoms of fever, headache and malaise. She was admitted to hospital on Jan. 1 and died on Jan.3.

Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.'s provincial health officer, said the woman spent 2.5 hours in Vancouver airport on Dec. 27 between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., awaiting a connecting flight.

"From what we know about H5N1, human-to-human transmission is very rare and, if it occurs, is confined to close family contacts. It is, therefore, extremely unlikely that any passengers or casual contacts would have been at risk. Furthermore, the average incubation period for H5N1 infection is between three and four days, so anyone who might have been exposed to this patient would, by now, have developed recognizable signs and symptoms."...

[sharon sanders]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

Please see the following analysis for reference:

A Review of Human Influenza A(H5N1) Cases in 2013 by Laidback Al

Our H5N1 case list for 2013 here.

[Biological]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

"The illness [H5N1] causes in humans is severe and kills about 60 per cent of those who are infected," Taylor said.
"No other illnesses of this type have been identified in Canada since the traveller returned from Canada. This is an isolated case."
The officials added that the patient was otherwise healthy and it's not yet clear how the person contracted H5N1.
Speaking to Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Taylor said the patient was relatively young.
"This was a relatively young — well, a young person compared to me, with no underlying health conditions," he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/h5n1-bird-flu-death-confirmed-in-alberta-1st-in-north-america-1.2489160

Age: ?
Sex: ?
Onset 27-Dec-27 (Fever malaise and headache)
First visited to hospital 28-Dec-13, PE ruled out and sent home [CXR pneumonia date?) (2)
Hospitalised 1-Jan-14
Sampled 2-Jan-14
Fatal 3-Jan-14
Provincial lab suspect 5-Jan-14 (H1 and H3 negative)
Confirmed 7-Jan-14 [at NML (2)]
Low risk for H2H
[All close contacts so far not unusual]

H5N1 bird flu death confirmed in Alberta, 1st in North America - Politics - CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/h5n1-bird-flu-death-confirmed-in-alberta-1st-in-north-america-1.2489160

= 32 minute video!

(2) Fatal case of H5N1 bird flu reported in Alberta, first North American case - Yahoo News Canada

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/canadian-press-newsalert-fatal-case-h5n1-bird-flu-205021777.html

[alert]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

Not that they would make the same error again, but a probable H7N9 case was reported from Edmonton (ex China) last year that was later discarded:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208097

I hope they have double-checked the test results this time.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

There are 2 positive H5N1 lab results as per government press release:

"Results that were received from the provincial laboratory on Monday, and confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory on Tuesday, indicate that an Albertan has died from H5N1 avian influenza."

http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=3565183693F2C-9E0D-1406-AF11D53248E7B8B2

[Treyfish]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

A Canadian citizen who died of H5N1 bird flu to stay in Beijing

2014-01-09 08:19:32 Source: Southern Metropolis Daily (Shenzhen) 3 people involved
Share


Canadian health officials confirmed on the 8th, a citizen died of H5N1 bird flu, which is the first case diagnosed in North America. Albert deceased lived in the province last year, December 27, on his way back to Canada by plane from Beijing onset, to January 3 dead.
Officials said the dead during the Chinese, just to stay in Beijing, during the dishes have not been to a farm or market, yet know how the infection.Canadian side has been informed of these cases the Chinese side. Canadian authorities did not disclose the identity of the deceased and their families are receiving medical surveillance, no signs of being infected.http://translate.googleusercontent.c...8xPhpYgPPNlg8A

[Biological]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

I wonder if this unfortunate sporadic Human H5N1 case will be put on China or a new Canadian listing!

Canada imported via Beijing China???

.....I guess it's to early to say what 'WHO' will post!

[sharon sanders]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

This is we are listing this for now:

1) Canada* - Person tested positive after trip to China, died January 3 Death


* The country designation may change to China pending investigation.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216111

[Pathfinder]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

Dr. Perry Kendall's statement on H5N1 influenza

Wednesday, January 8, 2014 2:37 PM
<!-- ======================= End of Event Story Meta ============================= -->
<!-- ======================= Event Story Content ============================= -->VICTORIA - British Columbia?s provincial health officer has released the following statement on the recent H5N1 influenza death in Alberta:

?B.C. was informed last night by Alberta health officials that they have confirmed a fatal case of H5N1 influenza in someone who recently returned from Beijing, China.

?As reported earlier by Health Canada and the Alberta Ministry of Health, this individual died on Jan. 4, 2014, after being treated in Edmonton for severe respiratory illness.

?This individual did travel through the Vancouver International Airport on their way to Edmonton and we have confirmed that the individual spent 2.5 hours in Vancouver airport on Dec. 27 between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., awaiting a connecting flight.

?From what we know about H5N1, human-to-human transmission is very rare and, if it occurs, is confined to close family contacts. It is, therefore, extremely unlikely that any passengers or casual contacts would have been at risk. Furthermore, the average incubation period for H5N1 infection is between three and four days, so anyone who might have been exposed to this patient would, by now, have developed recognizable signs and symptoms.

?BC Centre for Disease Control has regularly tested individuals with flu-like symptoms since flu season began, and we have not discovered a case of H5N1 in B.C.

?As always, travellers who develop new respiratory symptoms accompanied by breathing difficulty or other signs of worsening within two weeks of their return should consult a physician with information about their travel history.

?Most respiratory illness at this time of year, including among returning travellers, will be due to common viral illness such as seasonal influenza, including the H1N1 virus.

?BC Centre for Disease Control will continue to monitor this situation and my office will provide additional updates as the need arises or as additional information becomes available.?

For more information, please visit:

Public Health Agency of Canada: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

Alberta Ministry of Health: http://www.health.alberta.ca/

http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/01/dr-perry-kendalls-statement-on-h5n1-influenza.html

[Pathfinder]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

Speaking Notes for the Honourable Rona Ambrose Minister of Health

January 8, 2014
Ottawa, ON

H5N1 Technical Briefing

Good afternoon. I am Rona Ambrose, Canada?s Minister of Health.

I am here to confirm North America?s first human case of H5N1, also known as avian flu.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed that a resident of Alberta, Canada who recently returned from a trip to China, has died of H5N1.

The health system did everything it could for this individual and our thoughts are with the family at this time.

The risk of H5N1 to Canadians is very low as there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. Importantly, this is not part of the seasonal flu, which circulates in Canada every year. This is an isolated case.

Our Government and the Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to disease surveillance and is working closely with its public health partners across the country and around the world.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to work closely with Alberta Health and other provincial health authorities to ensure the health and safety of Canadians.

The Public Health Agency has notified China, the World Health Organization and other international partners about the case, in keeping with our commitment under the International Health Regulations.

Our Government will work closely with its national and international partners, including the World Health Organization.

The Agency will continue to work with Chinese authorities to follow up on the source and circumstances of this infection.

We are holding today?s technical briefing to deliver a clear message to Canadians, the risk of getting H5N1 is very low. This is not the regular seasonal flu. This is an isolated case

Our Government is committed to ensuring that Canadians have up-to-date, accurate information and we will continue to communicate in an open and transparent way.

Now I?ll turn it over to Dr. Gregory Taylor, our deputy chief public health officer for Canada.

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2014/2014_0108-eng.php

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking Notes ? Deputy Chief Public Health Officer

January 8, 2014
Ottawa, ON

H5N1 Technical Briefing

Thank you Minister.

I would like to echo the Minister?s comments in extending our condolences to the family and friends of this individual.

H5N1 influenza is not the same as the seasonal flu.

This is the first and only confirmed human case of H5N1 in North America.
The risk of transmission is very low. There is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

H5N1 is an avian form of influenza which has been found to circulate among birds, mainly poultry. It has been found in birds in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

There has only been less than 650 human cases of H5N1 in 15 countries over the last decade, primarily in people who were exposed to infected birds.

The illness it causes in humans is severe and kills about 60 per cent of those who are infected.

No other illnesses of this type have been identified in Canada since the traveller returned from China.

This is an isolated case.

The individual began to feel unwell on a return flight from Beijing to Vancouver (Air Canada 030) and Vancouver to Edmonton (Air Canada 244) on December 27.

The symptoms worsened and the individual was hospitalized, and passed away on January 3.

The Public Health Agency of Canada was notified on January 5th of the case, by Alberta. Our National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg received specimens yesterday.

Last night, January 7th, lab results confirmed this was H5N1. This morning Canadian officials have been in contact with the World Health Organization.

The patient?s family is not showing any signs of illness. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission on airplanes.

All evidence is indicating that this is one isolated case in an individual who was infected following exposure in China.

Although we don?t know at this time how the individual contracted the virus, for Canadians travelling abroad ? in keeping with our travel health advice ? we recommend:



If you are travelling to an area where any avian influenza is a concern:

1. avoid high-risk areas such as poultry farms and live animal markets;
2. avoid unnecessary contact with birds, including chickens, ducks and wild birds;
3. avoid surfaces that may have bird droppings or secretions on them; and
4. ensure that all poultry dishes are well cooked, including eggs .

Thank you

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2014/2014_0108a-eng.php

[Biological]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

H/T Diane Morin
Alberta woman becomes first North American victim of H5N1 bird flu

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Fatal+case+H5N1+bird+reported+Alberta/9364343/story.html

Canada: Une femme meurt du H5N1 en Alberta au retour d'un voyage en Chine - FluTrackers

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216076

[Pathfinder]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

First Human Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection Reported in Americas

Here?s a map that shows

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) Human Cases and Deaths Since 2003 [2.8 MB, 1 page]

January 8, 2014 ? Canada has reported the first case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus ever detected in the Americas. The case occurred in a traveler who had recently returned from China. H5N1 virus infections are rare and these viruses do not spread easily from person to person. Most of the 648 human cases of H5N1 infections that have been detected since 2003 have occurred in people with direct or close contact with poultry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers that the health risk to people in the Americas posed by the detection of this one case is very low. CDC is not recommending that the public take any special actions regarding H5N1 virus in response to this case. For people traveling to China, CDC recommends that people take the same protective actions against H5N1 as recommended to protect against H7N9 or other avian influenza A viruses. This information is available on the CDC website at Travelers Health: Avian Flu (Bird Flu).

According to Canadian health officials, the patient, who died on January 4, 2014, recently traveled to Beijing, China, where avian influenza A H5N1 is endemic among poultry. This is the first detected case of human infection with avian influenza A H5N1 virus in North or South America. It also is the first case of H5N1 infection ever imported by a traveler into a country where this virus is not present in poultry. No such H5N1 viruses have been detected in people or in animals in the United States.

While human infection is rare, it often results in serious illness with very high mortality (60%). CDC has recommended enhanced surveillance measures to detect possible cases of H5N1 in this country since 2003. In 2007, ?novel influenza A infections? such as H5N1, became nationally notifiable diseases in the United States. Novel influenza A virus infections include all human infections with influenza A viruses that are different from currently circulating human seasonal influenza H1 and H3 viruses. Rapid reporting of human infections with novel influenza A viruses facilitates prompt detection and characterization of influenza A viruses and accelerates the implementation of effective public health responses.

While the current risk from H5N1 viruses is very low and CDC believes it unlikely that cases of H5N1 have occurred in the United States, CDC will send out a reminder to clinicians in this country about when and how to test for H5N1 infection. The recommendations for testing for H5N1 are similar to those for H7N9 and include recent travel (within 10 days) to a country with H5N1 virus infections in birds or people. The guidance for H7N9 is posted on the CDC website atHuman Infections with Novel Influenza A (H7N9) Viruses.

According to CDC, more concerning for Americans right now is seasonal flu, which is widespread in much of the country. The agency urges people who have not gotten their seasonal flu vaccine this season to get vaccinated now. A seasonal vaccine will protect you against seasonal flu viruses.

As mentioned previously, avian influenza A H5N1 is endemic in poultry in China. Since 2003, 45 cases of human infection with H5N1 have been reported in China and 30 (67%) have died. Affected persons have ranged in age from 2 years to 62 years, with an average age of 26 years. Most of the reported cases have had poultry exposure.

The detection of one isolated case of H5N1 virus infection in a returned traveler does not change the current risk assessment for an H5N1 pandemic. A pandemic would only result if the H5N1 virus were to gain the ability to spread efficiently from person-to-person and there is no indication that this has occurred.

CDC is in close contact with Canadian public health partners and has offered laboratory and other support as needed. The agency will continue to monitor this situation closely and work with public health partners to rapidly test any incoming specimens and advise local and state authorities regarding control measures if needed. Long-term preparedness measures against H5N1 include the existence of a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine in the Strategic National Stockpile.

Background

H5N1 is a virus that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them, especially domestic poultry. Since December 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infections in birds have been reported in Asia, Africa, and Europe. H5N1 viruses are considered endemic (ever present) in poultry in at least six countries (alphabetically: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia and Vietnam) with sporadic detection in wild birds and poultry outbreaks occurring in other countries. The virus also is circulating widely in other countries in those regions. From 2003 through December 10, 2014, 648 laboratory-confirmed human cases with H5N1 virus infection have been officially reported to WHO from 15 countries. Of these cases, 384 died (60%). At the current time, there is no ongoing transmission of any avian influenza A viruses in humans, including H5N1 viruses.

However, the H5N1 epizootic poses an important public health threat since influenza viruses evolve and swap genes frequently. If H5N1 viruses were to gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission among humans, an influenza pandemic could result, with potentially high rates of illness and death worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conduct routine surveillance to monitor influenza viruses, including H5N1 viruses, for changes that may have implications for animal and public health.

More information on H5N1 is available at Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/news/first-human-h5n1-americas.htm

[Laidback Al]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

Because the onset of symptoms are reported to have occurred in December 2013, this case will be counted in the year 2013 H5N1 totals by the World Health Organization.

[Biological]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

Reading my mind Al!

[sharon sanders]

Re: Canada - H5N1 death in Alberta after travel from China - died from meningoencephalitis

After the WHO confirms this case I will make adjustments if necessary.