Latest news with #CanadianWildlifeHealthCooperative
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
No detection of bird flu among Yukon wildlife in 2025 so far
There are no confirmed cases of avian influenza among wildlife in the Yukon for 2025 yet. The avian influenza, or bird flu, is caused by the avian influenza virus, of which there are several strains. One strain known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, is known to cause severe illness and high death rates among infected birds. It has also infected mammals like domestic livestock. So far in Canada, HPAI has been detected in domestic birds, such as poultry in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, according to Public Health Agency of Canada. However, the agency said that the strain found in U.S. dairy cattle hasn't been detected in birds, cows or other animals in Canada. According to data collection done by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, there are 2,858 samples from wildlife which have tested positive. Ontario had 20 per cent of positive cases, followed by British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan. The earliest cases in the data set date back to 2021. The Yukon, with 6 total positives recorded, represented 0.21 per cent of positive cases in the country. In an email to the News on May 12, the Yukon department of the environment said the only confirmed cases of avian influenza in wildlife in the Yukon occurred in 2022 and 2023. So far this year, despite increased surveillance during the spring migratory season, there have been no detections of avian influenza in wildlife in the Yukon, according to Yukon department of environment spokesperson Mara De La Rosa. Also, the virus hasn't been detected in any domestic poultry in the territory, she said. Despite there being no detection, the virus is likely circulating in wild bird populations, said De La Rosa. The risk of a bird transmitting the virus to a human is 'very low,' but De La Rosa said hunters are recommended to take precautions when handling birds. Those precautions, as detailed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, include wearing gloves when handling bird harvests, avoiding contact with the bird's mouth and respiratory secretions, washing hands thoroughly after handling, and cooking meat and eggs thoroughly. It is also recommended to disinfect any tools or work surfaces used for butchering after the fact, and to wash any contaminated clothes immediately. The agency also recommends not eating or handling animals that appear to be sick or have died from unknown causes. De La Rosa said the Yukon government is working with the Canadian Wildlife Service to monitor infections among wildlife within the territory. YG is also providing sample kits to the public or any organization that requests them. For example, said De La Rosa, Ta'an Kwäch'än Council was provided with sample kits for harvested birds. As of right now, according to Yukon Chief Medical Officer Sudit Ranade, there are no known human cases in the Yukon. Last year, a teenager in B.C. was hospitalized in what is Canada's first known human case of avian influenza. Contact Talar Stockton at
CBC
28-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
Canada geese found dead in eastern P.E.I. had avian flu, preliminary results show
Social Sharing WARNING: This story contains photos that some may find disturbing. A large number of dying and dead Canada geese in Vernon Bridge, P.E.I., were likely sick with avian flu, says a veterinarian with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. A provincial conservation officer collected samples from the bodies of 17 dead geese found on the ice of Vernon River in eastern P.E.I. and delivered them to the Atlantic Veterinary College's virology lab for testing. "Preliminary results show that they are positive for avian influenza," said Megan Jones, regional director of the Atlantic node of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative on P.E.I. Those results will need to be confirmed at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg. That lab has expertise in avian influenza, which is also known as bird flu and formally as H5N1. Although some may find it upsetting to see large numbers of wild birds dying, Jones said it's not really alarming. "It's a virus that we know is here and we know that it does this," she said in an interview Thursday. The virus subtype H5N1 was first detected on the Island in March 2022, when a case was confirmed in the tissues of a bald eagle found on P.E.I.'s North Shore. Jones said carnivores that scavenge on the geese could potentially become sick, too. She said avian flu is not just a respiratory illness, but can spread through the body of an infected animal. 'It's so sad' Point Prim resident Gar Gillis said he saw some Canada geese carcasses being eaten by eagles as he drove across the bridge this week. He said it's not something he's noticed in recent years. "It's so sad to see the eagles gobbling them up," Gillis said. "I think it's kind of a shame." Canada geese infected with avian flu may behave strangely or have tremors, which is a sign that the infection is in their brain, Jones said. "Once the birds are showing those clinical signs, it's a pretty poor prognosis and it's pretty unlikely that they're going to survive on their own." What are the risks? The sick Canada geese do not pose much danger to the general public, but the risk is higher for those who handle sick or dead wildlife, Jones said. Avian flu can affect humans, as well as domestic animals, so it's important to be cautious, she said. "If people are frequenting areas where these birds are sick, they could get virus on their boots — for example, through feces," Jones said. "If there are birds on people's property, especially water fowl — like ducks and geese — they could bring it on to their property." Jones said she recommends minimizing direct contact with animals, as well as any contact with animal feed and water. It's also important to keep household pets such as cats and dogs from eating dead birds, Jones said. In terms of what can be done for the sick Canada geese, Jones said the avian flu virus is difficult to treat.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu case confirmed, 5 more suspected at Rouge National Urban Park: provincial agency
Parks Canada says it has found a confirmed case of bird flu in a Canada goose at Rouge National Urban Park and suspects five more. A preliminary diagnostic report of a dead goose by the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative confirmed it was highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), says Rouge's ecosystem scientist Jory Mullen. "For wildlife, it's a bit of a precarious situation — obviously, it's highly contagious," Mullen said. "The virus can survive upwards of months in ideal conditions." Five other geese were found with bird flu symptoms, but Mullen says the park won't be looking to further viral testing following the one confirmed case. "From that point on, [we] can suspect that the rest that are exhibiting those clinical symptoms are also suffering from HPAI," she said. There have been mounting cases of bird flu globally this winter, including in the U.S., where the virus's most prominent subtype, H5N1, has affected the cattle and poultry industry. Though it's impacted Canadians less, cases in Ontario and the GTA present a serious risk to animals and pets, Mullen an outbreak of the virus in 2023, a dog in Oshawa died after being infected with bird flu. "It's horrible because I'm sure those owners did not in any way think their dog coming into contact with a dead bird would lead to the death of their sweet dog," Mullen said. The virus can spread between animals through fecal matter, saliva and mucous membranes, Mullen says. It can even spread from dead animals, as it could be harboured in their bodies. Though pets and animals are particularly at risk, "there is a relatively low risk for humans to contract the disease," said Andrea Kirkwood, a professor of biological sciences at Ontario Tech University whose lab tracks viruses in the environment. "The main message is just for people not to get too concerned," she said. Wildlife is particularly at risk of contracting avian influenza. (Submitted by Parks Canada) Although there have been no cases of bird flu in humans in Ontario this year, Mullen says people should avoid approaching wildlife, whether it's dead or alive. Those who have come into contact with a sick bird or animal should disinfect their hands and seek medical attention, especially if they're experiencing flu-like symptoms. Kirkwood says pets should stay on their leashes during park visits and be kept away from all dead animals. Mullen adds people should also take measures to protect their outdoor cats. Toronto Zoo continue efforts to protect animals Rolling outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been ongoing since the early 2020s and because of that, the Toronto Zoo has stayed prepared to protect its animals, says Dr. Nic Masters, the zoo's director of wildlife health. "COVID was devastating for people, but this is kind of the equivalent if you're a wild bird," Masters said. The Toronto Zoo has adopted several measures to ensure its animals are protected from contracting bird flu, says the zoo's director of wildlife health Nic Masters. (Submitted by Toronto Zoo) The Toronto Zoo is in a particularly vulnerable position as it's located within the Rouge Valley and is frequently visited by flocks of wild Canadian geese. Masters says staff have been wearing personal protective equipment and changing them between visits to animal enclosures. There have also been efforts to keep birds away from humans and outdoor birds. The bird pavilion has netting to keep some separation between guests, while penguins are now exclusively fed indoors to prevent gulls and other species from getting too close, he says. The zoo is also contributing to provincial-wide virus tracking by examining sick, injured or dead wild birds found on its property. WATCH | Canadian scientists urge more bird flu surveilliance People can also help out by reporting sick, deceased and injured birds to Parks Canada or 311. Some infected animals may exhibit unusual behaviour — anything from the bird moving uncontrollably or isolating by itself and not moving at all, Mullen says. "If it's strange, report it," she said.
CBC
09-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
Bird flu case confirmed, 5 more suspected at Rouge National Urban Park: provincial agency
Parks Canada says it has found a confirmed case of bird flu in a Canada goose at Rouge National Urban Park and suspects five more. A preliminary diagnostic report of a dead goose by the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative confirmed it was highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), says Rouge's ecosystem scientist Jory Mullen. "For wildlife, it's a bit of a precarious situation — obviously, it's highly contagious," Mullen said. "The virus can survive upwards of months in ideal conditions." Five other geese were found with bird flu symptoms, but Mullen says the park won't be looking to further viral testing following the one confirmed case. "From that point on, [we] can suspect that the rest that are exhibiting those clinical symptoms are also suffering from HPAI," she said. There have been mounting cases of bird flu globally this winter, including in the U.S., where the virus's most prominent subtype, H5N1, has affected the cattle and poultry industry. Though it's impacted Canadians less, cases in Ontario and the GTA present a serious risk to animals and pets, Mullen says. WATCH | Why experts are urging caution amid bird flu outbreak What's behind the growing concern about bird flu 2 months ago Duration 2:02 During an outbreak of the virus in 2023, a dog in Oshawa died after being infected with bird flu. "It's horrible because I'm sure those owners did not in any way think their dog coming into contact with a dead bird would lead to the death of their sweet dog," Mullen said. The virus can spread between animals through fecal matter, saliva and mucous membranes, Mullen says. It can even spread from dead animals, as it could be harboured in their bodies. Though pets and animals are particularly at risk, "there is a relatively low risk for humans to contract the disease," said Andrea Kirkwood, a professor of biological sciences at Ontario Tech University whose lab tracks viruses in the environment. "The main message is just for people not to get too concerned," she said. Although there have been no cases of bird flu in humans in Ontario this year, Mullen says people should avoid approaching wildlife, whether it's dead or alive. Those who have come into contact with a sick bird or animal should disinfect their hands and seek medical attention, especially if they're experiencing flu-like symptoms. Kirkwood says pets should stay on their leashes during park visits and be kept away from all dead animals. Mullen adds people should also take measures to protect their outdoor cats. Toronto Zoo continue efforts to protect animals Rolling outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been ongoing since the early 2020s and because of that, the Toronto Zoo has stayed prepared to protect its animals, says Dr. Nic Masters, the zoo's director of wildlife health. "COVID was devastating for people, but this is kind of the equivalent if you're a wild bird," Masters said. The Toronto Zoo is in a particularly vulnerable position as it's located within the Rouge Valley and is frequently visited by flocks of wild Canadian geese. Masters says staff have been wearing personal protective equipment and changing them between visits to animal enclosures. There have also been efforts to keep birds away from humans and outdoor birds. The bird pavilion has netting to keep some separation between guests, while penguins are now exclusively fed indoors to prevent gulls and other species from getting too close, he says. The zoo is also contributing to provincial-wide virus tracking by examining sick, injured or dead wild birds found on its property. WATCH | Canadian scientists urge more bird flu surveilliance Bird flu surveillance in dairy cows lacking in Canada, scientists warn 9 months ago Duration 2:01 As the U.S. deals with an unprecedented outbreak of bird flu in dairy cattle, scientists say Canada must do more to monitor the spread of H5N1. People can also help out by reporting sick, deceased and injured birds to Parks Canada or 311. Some infected animals may exhibit unusual behaviour — anything from the bird moving uncontrollably or isolating by itself and not moving at all, Mullen says. "If it's strange, report it," she said.
