First H7N9 bird flu case of human infection confirmed in Canada

A woman resident of British Columbia, Canada, was confirmed to have been infected with H7N9 bird flu virus, becoming the first human infection case of the deadly virus in North America, federal health officials saidMonday.

"The individual is a resident of British Columbia and was not symptomatic during travel and only became sick after arrival in Canada. The individual did not require hospitalization and is currently recovering from their illness, in self-isolation," the Public Health Agency of Canada said in a statement.

It said the woman, in her 50s, returned to Canada on Jan. 12 from a trip to China with her partner and began feeling ill on Jan. 14, but she did not pose a risk to the public. Her partner was also ill and under care.

There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

"There is no indication that international spread has occurred, as contacts of the travelers did not develop illness," said the Public Health Agency of Canada.