Suspected cases of bird flu have occurred in some mammalian species in Saskatchewan.
Trent Bollinger is a wildlife pathologist at Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon.
He told CBC News that the first suspected case of bird flu in a “large carnivore” came to the laboratory about three weeks ago.
Six to ten more have been tested since last week.
“These are mostly skunks, with the occasional red fox, who have neurological signs that can be attributed to a (highly pathogenic) avian influenza virus,” he said.
Bollinger noted that there are other viral diseases – such as plague and rabies – that cause similar symptoms in these species.
However, recent molecular diagnostic tests have shown that bird flu is the most likely cause in at least three cases.
“We have several others that we have autopsied and are investigating further. And that could lead to an increase in numbers,” Bollinger said.
Mammalian transmission came as no surprise to Bollinger, who said the cases were occurring in the United States.
“But we see a decent number, which may be a little unusual. So we’ll see in time, “he said.
Mortality to continue in the summer
The pathologist says he expects more waterfowl, which are at high risk of viral transmission, to succumb to bird flu in the summer.
He noted a “peak of activity” in the number of birds dying from the virus during spring prairie migration.
Although he expects these numbers to decline over the next few months, there is another vulnerable group: small birds.
“We will have new cohorts of ducklings and young, which can also be discovered,” he said.
“So we can see the increase in mortality that society is seeing again.
Bollinger said the species of birds most affected by the virus appear to be “relatively abundant” and that mortality rates are not significantly affecting these populations at the moment.
He noted that greater concern is spreading to flocks of poultry, which must be massively depopulated and have economic consequences.
Bollinger said the transmission of humans and pets, such as dogs and cats, did not appear to be happening.
What to watch
Bollinger said people who spot an animal that “acts unusually” should avoid touching the animal and contacting a conservation officer.
However, if the animal later dies and there are fears that it may be bird flu, people can take the animal in latex gloves or a plastic bag to take it to a diagnostic laboratory.
“Bring him to the veterinary college here. We will perform an autopsy on him, determine the cause of death and then report these findings, “he said.
He added that the laboratory had not seen the disease in pets, such as dogs and cats, and there were no concerns about transmission there.
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