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EXPLAINER: Between 60 and 100 birds impacted by suspected avian flu in Caledon pond

Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative expect results by end of week

Caledonenterprise.com
March 24, 2023
Karen Martin-Robbins

Something ‘fowl’ is happening to the geese in a pond near Harvest Moon Drive in Bolton.

Brian Stevens, wildlife pathologist with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, said between 60 and 100 geese at a single stormwater pond at Coleraine Drive and King Street have been reported as impacted by a suspected avian flu outbreak.

As well, dead geese have been discovered in a second pond in Caledon -- at Kennedy Road and Dougall Ave.

The viral infection avian influenza (H5N1) can cause mass disease and death in birds.

In rare cases, avian influenza can spread to people.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?

Caledon put out warnings on March 17 that dead birds found at the pond were being tested for the virus.

The initial bird count was 20.

“While avian influenza is a threat to birds, the risk to humans is very low," said Dr. Nicholas Brandon, Peel’s acting medical officer of health.

"Most cases of human avian flu have been traced to handling infected poultry or their droppings. Residents are asked to follow the recommended guidance to limit the spread of avian flu and protect the health and safety of residents and pets.”

The town advised people to stay away from ponds or areas where waterfowl live as a precaution, especially if they have pets.

Pathways around the pond were also closed to the public Friday and remained closed the following week.

Angela Jansen heard on the news about the dead geese being found near her home. Then she found a bird dead under the snow in her backyard.

She called 311 -- the number for municipal services in Peel -- but was told staff wouldn’t come on private property to retrieve the bird.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “You would think they would want to have it tested.”

She said they told her to call a pest control company.

“I appreciate that we live in a community that has wildlife, but this is ridiculous,” she added.

SO WHO CAN RESIDENTS CALL?

Mark Sraga, director of building and municipal law enforcement at the town, said while residents can call 311 to report sick or dead wildlife on public property, the town does not provide service to private properties.

He said residents should contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

However, Stevens, from the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, explained while the public can contact them to report sick or dead birds for tracking purposes, residents should contact their local municipality or animal control office to inquire about safe removal of a bird.

The Public Health Agency of Canada does offer some recommendations to the public to safely dispose of dead birds.

“The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends wearing gloves or using a doubled plastic bag if you must handle wild bird carcasses, and avoiding contact with blood, body fluids and feces. You should then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer,” it said.

WHAT ELSE HAS HAPPENED?

Roxanne Bennett, who also lives near the pond, said she is concerned that the municipality hasn't removed all the dead geese from it yet.

As of March 21, there were still several dead birds along the shoreline of the pond.

She said she’s worried about not just other birds but all the other wildlife.

Mainly transmitted through the wild bird population, Avian flu can spread to commercial poultry and sometimes mammals, such as foxes, skunks and mink, who eat infected birds.

Bennett noted there are loons, bank beaver, muskrats, raccoons and coyotes frequently around the pond.

Sraga said the town has retained a contractor to remove the deceased wildlife.

"With respect to the removal of the dead geese in the pond at Coleraine and King Road, we anticipate removal will be complete by end of day Thursday (March 23.) However, depending on the number of birds and the contractor’s ability to access them, the contractor may have to return on another date to continue the work," he said.

ARE THERE DEAD BIRDS TURNING UP ANYWHERE ELSE?

Caledon isn’t the only place where dead and infected geese have turned up.

The City of Brampton had found several birds dead at Professor’s Lake and Duncan Valley Foster South. Early this week, the birds were confirmed as positive for the virus.

In Newmarket, animal services responded to reports of geese in distress at Fairy Lake and storm water management ponds.

The City of Vaughan is also reporting a significant number of birds that have died or are infected with presumed bird flu throughout the community.

Toronto Zoo also announced this week it has closed its aviaries "out of an abundance of caution" after avian influenza was found at a commercial poultry farm in the Niagara area.

Stevens said the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative hopes to have results from the Caledon birds by the end of the week or early next week.

But he said the recommendation for the public -- regardless of whether they are positive or negative -- would be to not approach sick or dead wildlife.

RESOURCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

To contact Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, email on-nu@cwhc-rcsf.ca, phone 1-866-673-4781, or submit an online report at https://cwhc.wildlifesubmissions.org/#/

Here are some recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada:

Signs of avian flu include:

 

Additional information on avian influenza is available through the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.