Avian flu suspected cause of geese deaths at Fairy Lake

About six geese were found dead on the ice, likely due to the disease that has been afflicting wildlife, farm animals throughout Canada

Newmarkettoday.ca
March 15, 2023
Joseph Quigley

Newmarket resident Isabelle Wagner was walking on the trail around Fairy Lake Monday when she came across an unusual sight.

Government officers were removing about six geese that were laying dead on the ice surface. They told her the geese had been afflicted with avian flu.

“It’s worrisome because there are so many birds around here,” she said, adding that “it took us a little off guard."

The Town of Newmarket has confirmed the dead geese observed by many passersby were likely affected by the bird flu. The municipality said it responded to reports at Fairy Lake and additional stormwater ponds, with 10 suspected cases found yesterday.

"With geese starting to return to the community, many York Region municipalities are seeing cases of birds that have died or are infected with presumed avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu," the municipality said. "The number is expected to rise."

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been responding to growing cases of avian influenza, which tends to be seasonal. Numerous reports have occurred over the past year about the disease reaching farm animals.

“Avian influenza is spreading across the globe, and anyone with farm animals must practice good biosecurity habits,” the agency said on its website.

The government’s avian influenza dashboard has reported 228 cases of suspected or confirmed avian flu cases in wildlife since the start of 2023.

The federal government advises that avian influenza can transmit to humans on rare occasions, generally with close contact in heavily contaminated environments. The disease can also spread to other mammals, but that risk is very low.

Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative wildlife pathologist Brian Stevens said the geese are on the way to them for testing to confirm the presence of the disease.

The disease has been detected in Ontario since March 2022, he said, with some more reports of suspected cases coming in since last week from various parts of southern Ontario.

"Without results, I can’t comment fully on whether the deaths are the result of avian influenza, but we suspect that this is the case and that this increase is likely linked to the commencement of spring migration as many waterfowl begin to make their way back north for the summer months," Steven said.

Dozens of Newmarket residents have commented on social media, with the geese quite visible on the ice near the Water Street entrance to the park area.

"Brutal! Another goose in distress and suffering," one commenter said on a local Facebook group. "Very sad!"

Wagner said it was good to see a group of officers on the case, despite the difficult conditions on the ice.

“I was glad to see this team of people trying to get all these dead geese,” she said. “I’m grateful they did that to prevent more.”

She hopes people are being careful with their pets and are reporting when they see any dead birds that may be impacted by the avian flu.

Bird flu incidents can be reported in Ontario to the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781. You can also use an online reporting tool at cwhc.wildlifesubmissions.org.

The municipality said not to touch sick or dead wildlife and to stay off all bodies of water. You can also report any birds found in distress, ill or dead to animal services by contacting customer service at 905-895-5193 or by email at info@newmarket.ca.

"The town’s animal services team will continue to monitor the situation, in conjunction with counterparts across the region, alongside the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative," the municipality said.