What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu is a disease caused by a virus that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds such as geese, ducks, and shore birds. Each year, there is a bird flu season, and some forms of the bird flu are worse than others. Wild birds, especially waterfowl, are a natural host for mild strains of avian influenza. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is a strain that can kill both wild birds and commercial poultry.
Avian influenza can also be transmitted to other animals such as dairy cattle, dogs, cats and other wild animal species through direct or indirect contact with the respiratory secretions or feces of infected birds.
In March 2022, the HPAI H5N1 virus was found in Ontario in wild and commercial poultry. This same strain of the virus has also been found in many other parts of the world, including other Canadian provinces and American states. The spread is mostly due to the movement of infected wild birds.
The HPAI H5N1 virus does not easily jump from animals to humans, and the current strain has a lower than normal concern for spread to people.
Facts about... Avian influenza
What is the current situation?
On November 9, 2024, British Columbia reported the first domestically acquired human case of influenza A(H5N1) in Canada. An infected animal or bird is thought to be the source of the infection. The virus has been detected in many species, including wild birds, commercial poultry, and in small wild animals including skunks and foxes. The Public Health Agency of Canada says that the risk of avian influenza infection for the public remains low at this time.
As of November 2024, there have been no cases of HPAI in cattle or other livestock species in Ontario or Canada.
There have been no human cases of avian influenza in Durham Region.
Durham Region residents should:
- Stay away from wild birds.
- Avoid unprotected contact with domestic birds that appear to be sick or have died.
- Avoid contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from wild or domestic birds.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after unavoidable contact with birds or their droppings.
- Practice safe food handling and cooking practices for poultry and eggs.
- Not consume unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw milk products.
- Report sick or dead wild birds that are on municipal property to your local municipality and on the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online reporting tool.
- Stay off all bodies of water due to unsafe water conditions; do not attempt to rescue birds in distress.
Signs of avian influenza in birds
- Lack of energy or movement
- Nervousness, tremors or lack of coordination
- Swelling around the head, neck and eyes
- Coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Sudden death
Frequently asked questions
Check with your local municipality for approved methods of disposing of dead birds. If your municipality allows, residents can bury or double bag dead birds and place in garbage for your regular garbage pick-up. Large numbers of dead wild birds should be managed as instructed by the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
Report sick or dead wild birds on the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online reporting tool.
When handling dead birds:
- Wear gloves at all times when handling wild bird carcasses and avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces.
- Use a small shovel to move the bird if possible, even while wearing gloves and place dead bird in a double bag.
- Place the bag carefully in a covered garbage container where it will be out of reach of pets, curious children or scavengers.
- Clean and disinfect any tools used in a solution of at least one part bleach to nine parts water.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soapy, warm water or use hand sanitizer, even if gloves are worn.
Report to your local municipality for pick-up:
- Keep your pets safe when outdoors by ensuring they stay away from sick or dead birds.
- Keep your cats indoors and dogs on a leash when out for a walk.
- Do not feed pets any raw meat from wild birds or poultry.
- Consult with your veterinarian if your pet is sick or for more information on avian influenza in pets.
More information on protecting your pets.
- Feeders should be removed from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals.
- If you care for poultry, prevent and/or eliminate contact between wild birds and poultry (e.g., include the removal of exterior/outdoor sources of food, water, and shelter that attract wild birds).
- Backyard bird feeders and baths should be cleaned regularly, at least every two weeks, using a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water. Ensure that they are well rinsed and dried before re-use.
- If sick birds are observed near bird feeders, the feeders should be removed and the sick birds reported to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
- Limit access of domestic birds to the outdoors and ponds or bodies of water used by wild birds.
- Owners must minimize contact between wild birds and their small flocks.
Wild bird surveillance is conducted through a collaboration between:
- CFIA (HPAI in wildlife dashboard)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC)
- The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are the lead agencies for tracing cases in birds on farms or in other facilities that process poultry.
- Durham Region Health Department works with other public health units to follow any farm/agricultural workers who may have been exposed to avian influenza.
Always stay away from wild animals. Reduce your risk by:
- Not approaching sick or dead animals. If on municipal property, contact your municipality to report.
- Keeping your pets on a leash and away from wildlife.
- Not feeding wildlife from your hands.
- Where possible, wash your hands with soap and warm running water; otherwise use moist hand wipes if your hands become soiled. Follow up with hand sanitizer.
- Avoid disturbing and coming into contact with animal droppings.
- The risk to acquire avian influenza in humans remains very low.
- Working with wildlife and within their habitat may increase your exposure to avian influenza. Speak with your employer to discuss how you can reduce your risk.
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