Canada

A case of bird flu has been reported in a flock of commercial poultry in Manitoba


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A case of bird flu has been reported in a flock of commercial poultry in Manitoba, the province said Sunday.

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Manitoba Agriculture says the confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is the first case in the province.

HPAI cases have been reported in “many other” jurisdictions in Canada and the United States, including North Dakota and Minnesota, on the route to return spring migratory birds to Manitoba, the province said.

According to a Manitoba report, the risk of bird flu to human health is low. There are no known cases of transmission of this strain of the virus from birds to humans in North America.

This strain of avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk, the province said. Poultry and Manitoba eggs are safe to eat when properly handled and cooked.

Earlier this week, bird flu was reported in two species of wild birds.

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Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development said two cases were found, one in a flock of snow geese near Vascada and the other in a bald eagle in the Dauphin area. It has been confirmed that the cases are highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1.

Bird flu has been confirmed in several Canadian provinces and the United States, including south of Manitoba in North Dakota and Minnesota on the route to return spring migratory birds to Manitoba.

This strain of avian influenza does not pose a risk to food safety. Poultry and Manitoba eggs are safe to eat when properly handled and cooked. Regular food safety and hygiene precautions must be observed when preparing game. Hunters should avoid eating birds that are visibly ill.

Although the risk of transmitting bird flu to humans is low, people should not touch dead birds or other wildlife with their bare hands.

Manitobans are asked to contact the TIP line (toll free) at 1-800-782-0076 if they find any of the following:

  • groups of six or more dead wild waterfowl (eg ducks, geese) or other waterfowl
  • any number of dead birds of prey or scavengers (eg crows, crows, gulls)
  • large groups of dead birds, more than 20 of each species