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Is Avian Flu a Danger to Canadian Birds?

Related Terms: avian, flu, influenza, Asia, disease, sick, strain, virus, infect, vaccination, bird, H5N1, Canada, wild bird


Is Avian Flu a Danger to Canadian Birds?

by Carollynne Smith

 

Newspapers around the world have been covered with headlines on the avian influenza outbreak in Asia. This unfortunate disease has killed more than 20 people on that continent and made several others sick. Thankfully, measures are being taken to control the H5N1 strain of the virus in those countries where it has been detected. Such measures include the humane extermination of infected poultry and the preventive vaccination of zoo birds.

 

But can this highly virulent strain have an impact on the wild birds we see at our feeders or in our forests? According to many scientists, the chances of this happening to Canadian wild birds are quite unlikely. The highly virulent H5N1 strain has not been detected in our country and Canadian birds generally do not migrate to Asia, where they could possibly encounter that strain. Also, most wild birds are naturally resistant to the virus. With all the things that do affect wild bird populations, such as climate change and habitat loss, this is good news.

 

In Canada, we have encountered a strain less dangerous to people, called H7. As a precautionary measure, 19 million chickens were culled in British Columbia. It has also infected two poultry farm workers, who have since recovered after experiencing mild flu symptoms. Health Canada continues to monitor the avian influenza situation in that province and states that the risk to human health remains low.

 

No one is quite sure where the strain that infected British Columbia’s chickens came from. There is no direct evidence that wild birds are responsible. It has been speculated that the transmission of avian influenza from farm to farm is due to the movement of infected poultry.

 

Thanks to the efforts of provincial and federal government officials, it is likely that the threat of this disease to humans and wild birds will remain low.