Alberta wildlife rescue responding to 'highly pathogenic' avian flu cases
The new avian flu is creating challenges for Alberta's largest animal rescue organization as it responds to suspected cases.
Non-profit Wild North provides emergency care to injured wild birds and small mammals. Avian flu is an infectious virus spread primarily among birds. Once infected, the virus attacks the internal organs of the bird, causing death in nine out of 10 cases.
According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, as of last week, it is estimated more than 1.8 million birds have been impacted by the pathogenic virus, including around 937,000 in Alberta — the most in any Canadian jurisdiction.
Dale Gienow, Wild North's executive director and rescue manager, says the organization has seen dozens of suspected cases.
"We've actually sent a few in for testing, and thus far, we've had snow geese, some Canada geese, a peregrine falcon, bald eagle all test positive with the virus," Gienow told CTV News Edmonton.
"Technically speaking, the birds can recover from the avian flu," he added. "Statistically, it's improbable. Some species are more likely to recover than others."
To protect staff and other animals in their care, Gienow said the organization has introduced strict protocols to limit the spread of the virus.
"We receive 3,500 animals a year, and capacity's a problem," he said. "We're trying to keep these animals separated in different quarantine areas, and (for) many cases, they have to be quarantined for a month."
"The real concern right now, of course, is this virus (being) in chicken barns and animals that are for human consumption," Gienow added. "This is where the province is really concentrating their testing."
A quarantine trailer has been set up to keep animals that have tested positive or are displaying symptoms separate from the rest of the rescue shelter. Staff don PPE as well to limit spread.
Gienow says the wildlife rescue organization's helpline has received several calls about birds acting abnormally, a sign it has been infected with the virus.
"They're acting drunk and there's a discharge coming from the beak," he said. "(Those are) telltale symptoms."
Many of the local cases have been driven by migratory birds, moving from south of the province into Alberta or further north.
"These migratory animals are spreading it to our local populations, and we're also dealing with those migratory individuals," Gienow said.
While spread is usually limited to within bird populations, Gienow said the rescue group has seen some wild mammals infected with the virus.
"We've seen transfer to fox, kits, skunks, so presumably these animals are eating infected birds and getting the virus," Gienow said.
Gienow recommends that people do their part to keep the virus from spreading among animal populations by holding off on putting up bird feeders, baths, or houses.
"This is a very highly pathogenic virus," he said. "So, whenever we do things to encourage lots of animals, lots of birds coming into one place, it's probably something we should put on hold for now.
"Take a little break," he added. "A lot of these cases are going to start to go down dramatically when these migratory birds have gone through. We're still going to see some local residents here in the summer that have it, but the cases should go down, so I would hold off until the fall at least."
Wild North is hoping people will donate funds or items it needs to help animals until the virus is gone.
With files from CTV News.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Police say another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.