Not just chickens: In Ontario, bird flu has killed bald eagles, Canada geese — and juvenile red foxes & More News Here

Wildlife consultants say avian influenza usually solely impacts waterfowl, however this pressure, known as extremely pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, has affected a big selection of untamed birds, together with waterfowl, corvids (resembling crows and blue jays), gulls and raptors. 

The most stunning casualties so far nonetheless, have been a pair of juvenile red foxes that not too long ago died of bird flu close to St Marys.

Arrival of HPAI variant ‘regarding’

“These foxes had been consuming the uncooked meat from infected animals,” mentioned Brian Stevens, a wildlife pathologist on the University of Guelph.

Stevens performs necropsies on wild animals that die beneath uncommon circumstances in Ontario and Nunavut for the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. 

“So far we’ve only seen it in the kits. These are only five- to six-week-old kits and I don’t know yet if it has affected the adults as well, so that’s something we’re keeping an eye on.”

Stevens mentioned the HPAI pressure was first detected in Ontario wildlife in mid-March and the casualties are mounting. As of the beginning of May, he had detected the virus 55 occasions in wild animals, a three- to four-fold enhance in what he would usually see in his caseload. 

“The variant that’s out there now is affecting a lot of wildlife, which is not something we typically see. So the fact that it’s jumping [to foxes] and causing severe disease and death of Canada geese and a number of different raptor species is concerning.”

That concern is a part of the rationale some wildlife rescue teams in Ontario — together with Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Mount Brydges — have stopped taking sick or dying birds. Brian Salt, the group’s founder, mentioned he would not need to threat bringing the extremely pathogenic virus into his operation or the operations his neighbours. 

‘Like a lit fuse in a powder keg’

“We’re like a lit fuse in a powder keg,” he mentioned of his wildlife centre’s proximity to dozens of southwestern Ontario poultry farms within the Strathroy-Caradoc space. 

“This virus is devastating to the poultry industry. We could be a major threat to the businesses here and we don’t want to do that.”

Salt mentioned whereas his facility has stopped taking wild birds for the 12 months, it nonetheless has plenty of resident raptors that act as instructional aids in public talking engagements. He mentioned workers should now put on full PPE, together with masks and gloves whereas dealing with the birds of prey with a purpose to keep away from getting them sick. 

“We just can’t afford to lose them,” he mentioned of the skilled birds, a few of which he is had for greater than 15 years.

Salt mentioned his centre usually takes 75 birds a 12 months, however has needed to flip down all requests for assist this 12 months to mitigate dangers.

“It’s devastating to a lot of people because they might have a nest of babies that need medical attention and we just have to say no. It’s painful on both sides of the phone.” 

We could possibly be a serious menace to the companies right here and we do not need to try this.– Brian Salt, Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

It’s solely anticipated to get extra painful, in accordance with bird consultants, who predict the primary wave of sickness will doubtless hit its peak with the excessive level of the spring migration later this month. After that, the virus is predicted to maintain a low profile till wild birds begin migrating south this fall. 

The menace to people is low, in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, however persons are suggested to not deal with sick or dying wildlife. 

Hunters are being suggested to put on disposable gloves and observe correct dealing with pointers whereas coping with recreation birds or different wildlife. 

In phrases of how lengthy this avian influenza epidemic will final, consultants aren’t positive. But given the actual fact the identical pressure hit Europe a 12 months in the past, and appears to be nonetheless affecting business and wild birds, the virus might stick with us for awhile.