The County of Prince Edward says highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been detected in wild waterfowl in Wellington.
Commonly known as “bird flu,” avian influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect several species of food producing birds, as well as pet birds and wild birds. Its viruses can be classified into two categories low and pathogenicity viruses based on the severity of illness caused in birds, reads a recent county release.
In the release, officials state users of Wellington Rotary Beach and their pets should avoid contact with waterfowl, waterfowl carcasses and fecal matter. Dog owners are also being encouraged to avoid walking at the beach during this time.
To reduce the risk from avian flu, the public is further advised to:
- Avoid direct contact with wild birds and other wild animals.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any bird feeders, bird baths or any potentially contaminated areas.
- Place backyard bird feeders and bird baths as far from family pets as possible and clean with a bleach and water solution (one-part bleach to nine-parts water) at least once every two weeks.
- Keep family pets away from birds and fecal matter.
Meanwhile, officials said owners of backyard flocks no matter what the size or species, as well as commercial poultry producers, should exercise extreme caution and invoke heightened biosecurity measures such as:
- Keep poultry away from areas frequented by wild birds and wild bird droppings.
- Maintain strict control over access to poultry houses and your premises.
- Make sure equipment is cleaned and disinfected before taking it into poultry houses.
- Do not keep bird feeders or create duck ponds close to poultry houses.
- Maintain the highest sanitation standards.
- Change footwear and prevent wearing contaminated clothing when entering the poultry house.
The release also states that in addition to regular biosecurity measures, the following heightened biosecurity standards should now be applied:
- Control access to your farm site by communicating the situation to all essential visitors, including service providers, input suppliers and feed providers.
- Keep mortalities in secure, covered containers until they are moved to the disposal area or transported off-farm.
- Place waste entering the public collection system in a sealed, waterproof bag with the exterior disinfected.
- If possible, keep all waste on-farm until the situation is resolved.
Officials are also reminding residents that under the municipality’s backyard hen bylaw, backyard hen/small flock owners have to register all hens with the Chicken Farmers of Ontario small flock policy through its family food program. Registering ensures small flock growers receive disease notices and guidance to protect their flock, explained officials.
Avian influenza viruses, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, can on rare occasions cause disease in humans, added officials, reiterating that transmission to humans has occurred when people have had close contact with infected birds or heavily-contaminated environments.
Due to the potential for human infection, it is recommended that people working with poultry suspected of being infected with avian influenza or in contact with such poultry wear protective clothing like face masks, goggles, gloves and boots.
The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) website has more information. Suspected instances of avian flu can also be reported to the Ontario Regional Centre of the CWHC by calling 1-866-673-4781.
