Information is reviewed on a regular basis and updated as required.
30 Jan 2015
Since the first notification at the end of March 2013, China has been reporting to the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed cases of a type of avian influenza virus in humans identified as A(H7N9). Most cases develop severe pneumonia and breathing difficulties with some resulting in death. Official numbers are available here.
Two individuals in British Columbia (B.C) have tested positive for the H7N9 avian influenza strain. They returned to Canada from China on January 12, 2015. They were not symptomatic during travel and only became ill after arriving in Canada and they did not require hospitalization. These are the first documented cases of H7N9 infection in humans in North America.
The risk to Canadians of getting sick with H7N9 remains very low as evidence suggests that it does not transmit easily from person-to-person.
The avian influenza (H7N9) virus causing illness in people in China has not been identified in birds in Canada.
In addition to these Canadian cases, travel-related cases have been confirmed outside mainland China in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia, following poultry exposure traced to a number of eastern provinces in China. However, there is no indication that international spread has occurred, as contacts of the travelers did not develop illness.
All evidence regarding the Canadian cases indicates they were likely infected following exposure in China. They were not symptomatic during travel and only became ill after arrival in Canada. All close contacts of these individuals have been identified and their health is being monitored by provincial public health authorities.
There is no risk of catching the flu virus by eating well-cooked poultry. Canada does not import raw poultry or raw poultry products from China.
Canadians can help protect themselves and their fellow citizens from influenza in general by:
While the Agency is not advising any travel restrictions related to this event at this time, a Travel Health Notice has been posted to provide advice to Canadian travellers. We will continue to monitor this situation very closely and advise Canadians as appropriate.
The Public Health Agency is working closely with its national and international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to monitor flu activity in Canada and around the world.
The Agency has notified China, the WHO and other international partners about the case, in keeping with our commitment under the International Health Regulations.
The full extent of the outbreak in China continues to be investigated by Chinese health authorities and experts from the WHO. However, most infections are believed to have occurred after exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments.
Activities that the Agency is engaged in include the following:
The Agency's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has diagnostic tests available that can rapidly detect the H7N9 virus as well as antibodies against the virus. The diagnosis of H7N9 in the Canadian cases was confirmed by the Agency's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
Having the ability to detect H7N9 antibodies in people is important as it signals previous exposure to the virus.
Additionally, the Agency's NML is:
All research work with the live H7N9 virus is being done under strictly controlled settings in high-containment laboratories.
Public Health Agency of Canada
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