More reports are emerging around the world of the virus in mammals, including species found in the Arctic. Officials say there's no evidence suggesting transmission from eating infected animals which are cooked - but country food is often eaten raw.

A 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. On Wednesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed it as avian flu — the first case of its kind in Canada. Henry said it's very likely that the B.C. teen's infection took place due to an exposure to either a sick animal or something in the environment.

The H5N1 strain of avian flu has been detected on a poultry farm in Chilliwack, British Columbia, marking the first confirmed case in the province this fall and prompting increased precautions among poultry farmers.

State veterinarian Dr. Robert Gerlach said the virus never left Alaska in the winter months, and has spread beyond the local bird population.

Eight skunks found dead last month in Vancouver and Richmond tested positive for avian flu.

A wildlife pathologist in Saskatoon says his lab is testing several skunks and fox kits showing neurological signs that could be caused by avian flu. The transmission to mammals is not a surprise to Bollinger, who said cases have been showing up in the United States. There are other viral diseases - such as distemper and rabies - that cause similar symptoms in these species.

As cases of avian flu continue to spread across Canada, B.C. poultry farmers are implementing quarantine measures from the highly infectious virus that can cause mass death in chicken flocks.