Emerging diseases
Avian influenza A (H5N1) is also known as bird flu or avian flu. It is a contagious viral infection that mainly affects birds but can sometimes infect other animals and humans. Avian influenza A is rare in humans, and some people with Avian influenza A don’t have any symptoms at all. Illness can range from mild to very severe. Symptoms usually start to appear one to five days after exposure but can also appear later. For more information, see Avian influenza A(H5N1): Symptoms and treatment - Canada.ca
Ebola virus causes severe disease that is often fatal. Initial symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle pain and weakness. Symptoms can begin two to 21 days after exposure. The Ebola virus does not spread easily from person to person like the flu. It is spread through direct contact with blood, body fluids or tissues of infected persons or infected animals and medical equipment that is infected with body fluids.
Since 1976 Ebola viruses have been found in several African countries.
Provincial Public Health officials are working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada and their counterparts in other Canadian jurisdictions to monitor the situation and to detect and manage any cases in Canada should they occur.
The overall risk in Canada to the general population from the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low. Because transmission requires close, prolonged contact, person-to-person spread in Canada isn’t expected, even if an infected individual was to arrive in the country.
Communicable diseases
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To learn more or to contact a health professional, visit Public Health’s list of regional clinics.