A few birds have H5N1

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“From what are hearing, the death toll in the region is in the hundreds (with at least two separate areas having close to or more than 100 crows dead this winter),”

Colby added there have been no reported human cases of H5N1 locally. He advises the public to stay away from any dead birds they may find.

“We do not recommend that the public handle sick or dead wildlife. If people need to clean up carcasses, we recommend wearing PPE (disposable gloves, surgical mask and eye protection) as a precaution. Cases of sick wildlife can be reported to local wildlife rehabilitation centres,” he said.

Armstrong said if you spot dead birds, contact PAWR. If the carcass is on public property, Public Works will send personnel to pick up the remains.

Armstrong said PAWR sent a bald eagle and two owls to CWHC for testing in December. The eagle and one of the owls came back positive for “avian flu.”

Two crows were sent for testing at the same time, with one of them coming back as positive for avian flu as well, she said.

Stevens confirmed one of the crows they’ve tested did show positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Stevens said he’s not familiar with the PAWR raptors that were sent for testing, “but I know at least one great horned owl that had come from them through another rehabilitator tested positive for avian influenza virus. We don’t have confirmatory results from the CFIA on the strain of virus that affected this owl, but based on the preliminary testing, we suspect that it was infected with the H5N1 strain as well.” enough funds to sustain our program. This grant enabled us to keep our doors open in order to serve the many families in our community,” said

Kim

The CKCF is a volunteer-driven, philanthropic organization.