Two geese in Southside Park test positive for avian flu

Two dead geese found in Southside Park tested positive for avian flu recently. More flocks in Southwestern Ontario have also been culled recently. (City of Woodstock photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Woodstock is advising residents to avoid touching wild birds and bird droppings after two Canada geese in Southside Park tested positive for avian influenza.

City staff have received several reports of sick or dead geese in the park over the last few weeks. As a precaution, two of the dead birds were sent to Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) in Guelph for testing. Both tested positive for avian influenza.

“We’re in contact with Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative to continue monitoring and tracking any sick or dead birds found in our parks,” explained Reta Horan, Supervisor of Parks and Forestry.

“We’ve also been in touch with Southwestern Public Health to share information and resources on protecting the health and safety of staff and the public,” she added.

Brian Stevens is a veterinarian with the CWHC at the University of Guelph. He said their role is to report their results to government agencies.

“Unfortunately, there is no additional funding to increase monitoring after we have a positive result. This virus is known to be across Ontario and we have had a number of cases in SW Ontario this fall, so we already know it is circulating in wild birds in the region.”

He added there are no protocols when it comes to birds in nature contracting the deadly disease.

“As these are wild birds, there is nothing that can be done to reduce the risk of spread. This virus spreads among the wild bird population and will occasionally lead to mortality events (as was seen in these geese), but many wild birds will survive infection.”

Stevens said typically, the virus is allowed to run its course in the wild bird population as there are no real control measures that can be implemented.

“Anyone with poultry, whether industry or backyard, should increase the biosecurity of their flocks to minimize the risk to their birds.”

Avian flu has been circulating in Ontario since March 2022 and occasionally result in mortality events in wild bird populations. The times of highest risk tend to correlate with the spring and fall migratory periods.

Stevens said the public need to be aware of the risks to humans.

“Although cases of avian influenza are rare in humans, we can be infected. It's recommended that people do not approach or handle sick or dead wildlife. Additionally, it is recommended that people keep their dogs on leash and under their control as there are rare instances of dogs becoming infected by scavenging on dead infected waterfowl. Cats should also be kept indoors or observed while outside as cats are also susceptible to infection.”

According to the Ontario Ministry of Health, the H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been circulating in the province since 2022. The virus can cause disease in wild birds, commercial poultry, and wild and domestic mammals. The risk of transmission from infected wild birds to people remains very low. When human infections have occurred, it is almost always following sustained close contact with infected live or dead poultry or contaminated facilities.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has declared two more avian flu outbreaks at commercial poultry farms in Strathroy-Caradoc, bringing the total in that area to five. Approximately 100,000 birds have been culled as a result, and CFIA officials have established a primary control zone to prevent the spread of the virus.

Southwestern Public Health is offering the following tips to area residents:

• Keep yourself and your pets away from wild birds and bird droppings. If you see a wild bird that is sick, injured or dead, do not touch it.

• Report any sick or dead birds to the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781 or online at https://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/report_and_submit.php.

• Contact your health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms and have had contact with a sick or dead bird or animal in the past 10 days. Symptoms of avian influenza can be similar to the seasonal flu, including fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, red eyes, and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and seizures.

While avian influenza has been detected in wild birds in every province and territory in Canada, there is currently only one human case of the virus that has been detected in the county.

For more information on avian influenza in humans and how to protect yourself, visit https://www.swpublichealth.ca/my-health/infectious-diseases/avian-flu/.

You can also learn more about urban wildlife in Woodstock at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/urbanwildlife.