Experts say that precautions need to be taken as wild birds migrate to the province in the spring
After several skunks died of avian flu in Metro Vancouver, experts are telling people in British Columbia and pet owners in particular to be careful.
On Monday, the province said eight skunksIn Vancouver and nearby Richmond had died, probably after eating dead wild birds, and they all tested positive for theH5N1 avian influenza virus. Later, they were able to prove that the virus was what killed the animals.
The skunks’ deaths are related to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI) in North America.since last year, with thousands of birds culled in B.C. and significant Effects on the chicken industry.
As thousands of wild birds arrive in B.C. forthe annual spring migration, experts are telling the public to be aware of how dangerous avian flu is, and there are calls for better monitoring of HPAI across the province.
Hannah Weitzenfeld, the senior manager of animal health at the B.C. SPCA, said, “The good news is that the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza for cats and dogs is actually quite low.”
“We do want you to keep taking your dogs outside and giving them exercise.”
Weitzenfeld added, though, that pets should be kept away from bird-gathered water sources and bird seed on the ground.
She said, “The avian flu virus can live in the environment for a number of days, but we don’t know exactly how many days.” “If we see bird poop, we should stay away from that area.”
Weitzenfeld says she doesn’t know of many times when avian flu has spread from mammals to mammals. However, researchers looking into an outbreak have found that this has happened.at a European mink farmSaid that the virus could have spread to the many animals there.
But officials say that the risk to people is very low right now. Weitzenfeld says that the fact that avian flu killed wild skunks shows that pet owners should try to avoid interacting with wild animals as much as possible.
She said, “We definitely want to keep our pets away, both for the safety and health of our pets and for the safety and health of the wildlife.”
Weitzenfeld also says that people in BC should think aboutPutting their bird feeders away, because they give wild birds a place to get together and spread the virus.
People used to be told by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control to make sure eggs and poultry dishes are well cooked and to boil untreated water from places where wild birds gather.
As for eager cats who May want to ride a free-flying bird? Weitzenfeld says a product called a cat bibIt might be helpful to have a special attachment for the collar that makes it harder to hunt.
“If you see sick or dead wildlife outside, don’t touch them. Instead, please call.”the wild bird hotline,” she added.
Professor wants more monitorin
Peter Arcese, who teaches in the forestry department at the University of B.C., said that COVID-19 has taught us thatviruses can lingerLong time, and that it’s important to be clean when dealing with things that could be infected.
Arcese, who has worked with wild bird populations in the past, says that the current outbreak of avian flu is hard to control because it is mostly spread by wild birds and not by poultry that is raised in a farm.
He says that means a simple cull is unlikely, since thousands of wild birds visit B.C. every spring. This province is right in the middle ofthe Western flyway— one of the most important routes birds use to move around the world.
“I think that’s why surveillance programs and monitoring are probably a good first step,” he told CBC News. “Just to try to figure out how common and how many different types or strains are out there.”
“These [outbreaks of new pathogens] are likely to happen more often in the future.”
Theresa Burns, the province’s chief veterinarian, said it’s likely that people in B.C. will still have to deal with avian flu into the fall. There still arerestrictions in placeEvents like bird auctions and chicken swaps are held all over the province.
The province recently committed $5 millionTo help farmers deal with animal diseases, which will help develop new plans to control diseases and research biosecurity measures, according to the government.
Pam Alexis, who is in charge of agriculture, told a news conference that farmers will start getting money by the end of March.