The deadly strain of bird flu, which is devastating Canada’s poultry industry, has also killed an unusual number of wild birds and even jumped on mammals, killing a pair of young foxes near St. Mary’s Ont, wildlife experts say.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said at least 68 poultry farms had been affected by the virus nationwide as of Thursday, with approximately 1.7 million birds killed. The worst affected provinces are Alberta, followed by Ontario, each with 23 affected farms.
Wildlife experts say that avian influenza usually affects only waterfowl, but this strain, called highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, has affected a wide range of wild birds, including waterfowl, crows (such as crows and jays) , seagulls and birds of prey.
The most surprising victims so far, however, are a pair of young red foxes that recently died from bird flu near St. Mary’s.
Arrival of HPAI option “about”
“These foxes ate raw meat from infected animals,” said Brian Stevens, a wildlife pathologist at Guelph University.
Stevens performs autopsies on wild animals that die under unusual circumstances in Ontario and Nunavut for the Canadian Wildlife Health Association.
Among the most surprising victims of the HPAI strain so far have been two sets of red fox, similar to those pictured here. The two animals ate raw meat infected with the virus near St. Mary’s, Ont. (Robert F. Bucati / Associated Press)
“So far we have only seen it in the kits. These are kits between the ages of five and six weeks, and I still don’t know if it affected adults, so that’s something we’re watching. “
Stevens said the HPAI strain was first discovered in Ontario’s wildlife in mid-March and the death toll is rising. Since the beginning of May, he has detected the virus 55 times in wildlife, a three- to four-fold increase in what he usually sees in his cases.
“The current option affects a lot of wildlife, which is not something we usually see. So the fact that he jumps [to foxes] and the serious illness and death of Canadian geese and a number of different species of birds of prey is worrying. “
This concern is part of why some Ontario wildlife rescue groups – including the Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Mount Bridges – have stopped accepting sick or dying birds. Brian Salt, the group’s founder, said he did not want to risk introducing the highly pathogenic virus into his operation or the operations of his neighbors.
“Like a burning fuse in a powder keg”
“We are like a burning fuse in a gunpowder barrel,” he said of the proximity of his wildlife center to dozens of poultry farms in southwestern Ontario in the Stratroy-Karadok area.
The HPAI strain has devastating effects on the poultry industry on both sides of the Atlantic. In North America, it has killed about 36 million birds, while in Europe, 12 million birds have died in France alone. (Ben Nelms / CBC)
“This virus is devastating to the poultry industry. We can be a big threat to the business here and we don’t want to do that.”
Salt said that although its facility has stopped accepting wild birds for the year, it still has a number of local birds of prey that act as educational aids in public speaking engagements. He said employees now have to wear full PPE, including masks and gloves, while handling birds of prey to keep them from getting sick.
“We just can’t afford to lose them,” he said of the trained birds, some of which were more than 15 years old.
Salt said his center usually accepts 75 birds a year, but had to reject all requests for help this year to mitigate the risks.
“It’s devastating for a lot of people because they may have a nest of babies who need medical attention, and we just have to say no.” It’s painful on both sides of the phone. ”
We could be a big threat to business here and we don’t want to do that. – Brian Salt, Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
It is only expected to become more painful, according to bird experts, who predict that the first wave of disease is likely to peak with the highest point of spring migration later this month. The virus is then expected to remain weak until wild birds begin migrating south this fall.
The threat to humans is low, according to the Ontario Department of Natural Resources and Forestry, but people are advised not to deal with sick or dying wildlife.
Hunters are advised to wear disposable gloves and follow proper handling instructions when dealing with game birds or other wildlife.
Experts are not sure how long this epidemic of avian influenza will last. But given the fact that the same strain struck Europe a year ago and still appears to affect commercial and wild birds, the virus could stay with us for a while.
Add Comment