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Avian flu cases confirmed in Brampton as more cities across the GTA report hundreds of dead birds

The highly contagious H5N1 virus has officially hit the GTA after multiple potential positive cases were reported in cities across the region.

Thestar.com
March 22, 2023
Kevin Jiang

Multiple cases of avian flu have been confirmed in Brampton -- potentially the first verified cases in the GTA -- while other cities across the region are also reporting sick and dying birds.

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, responsible for performing the avian flu tests in Ontario, announced the positive results from Brampton on Monday. They’ve also flagged additional, unconfirmed positives through the GTA, the group said in an email.

“We have been receiving reports and cases (of avian flu) from across the GTA over the past couple of weeks,” said Brian Stevens, a wildlife pathologist for the cooperative to the Star. “The positive cases from Brampton were part of a die-off of approximately 50 birds.”

According to Stevens, the cooperative has received reports of “anywhere from three to 20 sick or dead birds” at additional locations across the GTA including: Mississauga, Markham, Oakville, Milton, Pickering and Newmarket.

The H5N1 avian flu virus is extremely contagious and lethal to birds, although Health Canada has said its risk to humans remains very low. Reporting of potential outbreaks has risen dramatically after the virus was first detected on two southern Ontario farms a week ago.

In a news release, Brampton said the birds were found in the areas of Professor’s Lake and Duncan Valley Foster South. The city’s animal services team is closely monitoring the situation and working with government partners.

Brampton’s dead birds were discovered around the same time as another die-off in the town of Caledon, this time of 60 to 100 geese recovered from a stormwater pond, Stevens said -- an increase from the 20 dead birds initially reported.

The group likely won’t have the results back from the Caledon birds until the end of the week.

Potential positive results have been detected in Mississauga, Oakville and Newmarket, after preliminary testing on sick geese. Stevens said they’re expecting more birds from across the GTA to soon arrive.

To limit the spread of the virus, Health Canada strongly recommends people to not handle sick or dead wild birds, and to keep pets far away. If you spot any such birds, the agency urges you to call your local avian flu hotline or contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
Common symptoms of the illness in birds include: a lack of energy; decreased egg production; decreased food consumption; excessive thirst; respiratory issues like coughing, sneezing and struggling to breathe; nervous issues like trembling or a lack of coordination; diarrhea; and “sudden death.”

The disease is currently incurable in birds. While it can be lethal, some infected birds can appear asymptomatic and healthy.

A spokesperson for Brampton did not reply to the Star’s requests for comment before publication.