First N America H5N1 bird flu death confirmed in Canada

 

China has been vaccinating poultry against the H5N1 virus

Canadian health officials have confirmed the first known fatal case of the H5N1 avian influenza strain in North America.

Canadian Health Minister Rona Ambrose said the deceased person was an Alberta resident who had recently travelled to Beijing.
Calling the death an "isolated case", Ms Ambrose said the risk to the general population was low.
Ten people have died in Alberta this season from swine flu, or H1N1.
H5N1 infects the lower respiratory tract deep in the lung, where it can cause deadly pneumonia.