Birds suffering from avian flu found in Brampton

The City of Brampton is providing some safety tips to residents after birds suffering from avian flu (also known as bird flu) were located in the city. 

According to the city, infected waterfowl (birds that live near water, such as ducks, geese and swans) were found near the Williams Parkway and Elbern Markell Drive intersection and the Davishelm Drive and Cedar Lake Crescent areas. 

In a news release, the city says its animal services department sent specimens to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for examination, and avian Influenza was confirmed. 

“The city is actively monitoring the situation and working with all government partners,” the municipality said in a news release. 

While humans are still unlikely to contract the highly pathogenic strain of influenza, some health experts have advised increased caution at a time when the disease has been found in large numbers of both birds and mammals. 

Last year, a case of fatal bird flu was confirmed in a dog from Oshawa. 

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa are currently seeing bird flu outbreaks. Small flocks and pet birds could contract the virus from wild birds that migrate through Canada in the spring and fall months. 

While health organizations say the risk to human health is currently small, people who work with poultry are at increased risk of getting sick. According to recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 882 people contracted the virus between Jan. 1, 2003 and Dec. 21, 2023. The WHO said 461 cases ended in death, indicating a fatality rate of 52 per cent. 

In a report, the WHO said sporadic human cases are not unprecedented and that while the virus has spread more prolifically among birds, a pandemic amongst humans does not appear imminent. 

“The zoonotic threat remains elevated due to the spread of the viruses among birds. However, the overall pandemic risk associated with A(H5) is considered not significantly changed in comparison to previous years,” the report reads.

That said, the WHO recommends countries take action to reduce human exposure to infected birds.

In a news release, the city also said the risk to humans remains low. 

“The risk of avian Influenza spreading to humans is extremely rare. There are no signs of increasing public risk at this time,” the release reads. 

Some precautionary measures include keeping pets away from waterfowl and bird droppings (feces), not feeding or touching waterfowl, keeping cats indoors, keeping dogs on a leash, not feeding pets raw meat from game birds or poultry, keeping pet birds indoors and frequently cleaning birdfeeders.

Residents with flocks or pet birds with access to the outdoors should monitor their animals for signs of illness. The CFIA says bird flu symptoms include lethargy, lack of appetite, decreased egg production, swelling around the head, neck and eyes, coughing, sneezing and gasping for air, tremors or nervousness, diarrhea and sudden death. 

On its website, the CFIA says humans are not at risk from eating cooked eggs or poultry. 

Areas where infected birds were found in Brampton remain open to the public and signage has been installed at identified hotspots. 

“As the City continues to monitor the situation, more signage will be added should there be additional hotspots,” the city said.

Anyone who discovers a dead bird is asked to call 3-1-1.