So far this year, 18 countries have registered a total of 278 HPAI outbreaks in poultry. This is according to the Animal Disease Information System by the European Commission (EC; as of November 6). It monitors listed animal diseases in European Union member states and adjacent countries, but not Great Britain.

Avian flu typically spreads between wild and domestic birds but can spread to other animals and people. There have now been more than 40 confirmed human cases in the United States, according to the Centre for Disease Control,

Canadian health officials have confirmed bird flu in a British Columbia teen. The Public Health Agency of Canada said Wednesday that tests showed the virus involved was related to a bird flu outbreak in poultry in the province.

A B.C. teenager remains in hospital with avian flu, according to British Columbia's top doctor. On Tuesday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the teen is suffering from severe respiratory distress.

Experts and health authorities say that while the risk of human infection with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza remains low, people should avoid contact with sick or dead birds.

Amid an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in American dairy herds and poultry flocks, Canadian officials have announced that a teen in British Columbia has been hospitalized in critical condition with what is believed to be bird flu.

A Canadian teenager is hospitalized in critical condition with bird flu, health officials reported Tuesday. The teen has been receiving care at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver since Friday, the same day an initial test came back positive for H5 influenza.

Cases of H5N1 bird flu in U.S. dairy and poultry workers have largely been mild. However, a new case in a British Columbia teenager has experts worried.