CAUTION: This article includes a graphic image of a deceased goose.
An outbreak of highly contagious avian influenza has been identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in numerous samples gathered in southern Manitoba following an unprecedented bird die-off.
Approximately 500 bird carcasses, predominantly Canada geese, were discovered near waterways in southern Manitoba in early December. While distinct clusters of deceased birds were located near the Red River north of Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway, the most concentrated group was found in ponds in Niverville.
Biologist Frank Baldwin from the Canadian Wildlife Service informed CBC News that samples from these birds tested positive for avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, prompting further examination to determine the specific strain.
On December 11, the federal agency submitted 39 wild bird samples for testing at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease. The results indicated that 38 samples were positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
University of Manitoba researcher Hannah Wallace, specializing in viral immunology, expressed relief that the samples tested positive for H5N1, a strain known to cause significant illness and death in birds. Wallace had been concerned about a potential mutation of the virus into a more perilous strain affecting both birds and humans.
According to Wallace, the H5N1 strain detected in the samples is prevalent among domestic poultry and wild bird populations in North America, reflecting a familiar pattern of avian influenza in the region.
Avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, has been a recurring concern for both scientists and poultry farmers in Manitoba due to its contagious and lethal nature. Rod Wiebe, chair of Manitoba Chicken Producers, highlighted the challenges posed by wild birds as carriers of the virus, emphasizing the heightened risk during fall and spring migrations.
Candace Lylyk, owner of Breezy Birds Farm in Morris, Manitoba, shared her efforts to safeguard her poultry farm from wild bird contact, implementing strict biosecurity measures to prevent potential transmission of avian influenza.
As concerns persist about the lingering presence of avian influenza in the environment, researchers like Hannah Wallace emphasize the importance of continued monitoring and vigilance to mitigate the risks posed by the virus.