Nova Scotia confirms case of avian influenza in goose in Halifax region
CBC
Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources says a case of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has been detected in the community of Grand Desert, in the eastern part of the Halifax Regional Municipality.
A news release Tuesday said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the case in a wild goose on Friday.
Bob Petrie, the director of wildlife at the Department Natural Resources, said in the release the public should exercise caution when it comes to birds.
"Avian influenza poses little risk to people, but the virus is highly infectious and potentially deadly in wild and domestic birds," he said.
"We urge the public to avoid feeding or handling wild birds like ducks, geese, pheasants, pigeons and gulls to prevent disease spread."
The release said the virus is highly infectious in birds and can spread easily and quickly.
Some wild species that have the virus can infect other birds while remaining asymptomatic themselves, the release said.
There are at least 15 types of avian influenza and some bird species are more likely to become very ill and die, according to the release.
The public are urged to not handle live, sick or dead birds and to report sick or dead birds to the department at 1-800-565-2224.
The release said avian influenza has been detected in other parts of Canada and in the United States, and the province is working with Ottawa and other agencies to "monitor and respond to the situation."
Hope Swinimer of Hope for Wildlife, an animal rehabilitation organization in Seaforth, near where the infected goose was found, said the centre has safety protocols and procedures for handling diseases that can spread from animals to humans.
She said she is hoping the centre can play a role in helping Nova Scotia deal with any outbreak and save the lives of animals.
"A lot of people don't realize is that's one of our goals here at Home for Wildlife is research and being able to pinpoint where these cases are coming from," Swinimer said.
"We really hope we can be a part of the solution and help all of Nova Scotia know what's happening at any given time in our natural world."
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