Dead Canadian geese are turning up more frequently across southern Ontario, and experts say bird flu is likely to blame. As migratory birds return to Canada this spring, health officials are bracing for a potential surge in bird flu cases.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1, has already impacted both wild and domestic birds, as well as a human case in British Columbia. A Canada goose in Rouge National Urban Park in Scarborough, Ont., tested positive for the virus, and five other geese in the area have exhibited bird flu symptoms.
According to experts, the avian flu will likely spread even more as migratory birds move across the country. Shayan Sharif, professor at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, said that migratory birds can carry the virus, which is particularly concerning because Canada lies within major migratory flyways.
“The virus seems to be hitchhiking with migratory birds and there are different kinds of migratory birds. Canada geese are included among those migratory birds,” Sharif explained.
The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative reported a growing number of bird flu cases in southern Ontario, primarily affecting Canadian geese. As more birds start migrating north for the spring, experts warn that the avian flu will likely spread further.
In addition to human concerns, experts also caution about pets and domestic animals. The risk of transmission remains low, but it’s essential to exercise extra vigilance if encountering dead animals or potential areas where infected birds may have landed.
Matthew Miller, director of DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research at McMaster University, advised people to avoid handling dead animals and be cautious with off-leash pets in open areas. Sharif echoed this warning, advising dog owners to keep their pets away from dead birds or potential areas where the virus might have been transmitted.
Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/11013859/bird-flu-dead-geese-migration-canada-outbreak