Dead geese spark bird flu fears as migration fuels outbreak risk in Canada

As migratory birds return to Canada this spring, health officials are bracing for a potential surge in bird flu cases as many may be carrying the virus.

Dead Canadian geese are turning up more frequently across southern Ontario, and experts say bird flu is likely to blame.

As migratory birds return to Canada this spring, health officials are bracing for a potential surge in bird flu cases.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1, has already impacted both wild and domestic birds, and even a human case in British Columbia, raising concerns about its rapid spread as flocks move across the country.

The situation gained attention after Parks Canada confirmed last week that a Canada goose in Rouge National Urban Park in Scarborough, Ont., tested positive for the virus. The bird’s remains showed clear signs of infection, and five other geese in the area have exhibited bird flu symptoms.

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), told Global News on Tuesday that a growing number of bird flu cases have been detected across southern Ontario in recent weeks, primarily affecting Canadian geese, which are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

And as more birds start migrating north for the spring, Shayan Sharif, professor at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, said the avian flu will likely spread even more.

“There’s always a chance for migratory birds to spread the virus. I would say that’s really one of the main modes of transmission for this particular strain of virus,” he said.

“The virus seems to be hitchhiking with migratory birds and there are different kinds of migratory birds. Canada geese are included among those migratory birds. There are also others, like ducks and so forth, that could potentially carry the virus from one place to another place.”