Article and images by Jennifer Howard
A topic that may be affecting us soon is HPAI – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or Avian Influenza. In fact, Ontario has reported cases already. Migratory season will be the critical period of interest and watches. This disease affects waterfowl, predator birds and predator animals. Owls, hawks, eagles, turkey vultures, ravens, crows, swans, gulls and shorebirds, fox, coyote, raccoons, striped skunks, mink, cats, and dogs etc. to name a few. Keeping cats indoors and dogs on leash to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and feces is a great way to protect them. Do not hand feed birds. A lot of waterfowl actually are carriers of the Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza. This type can be carried by waterfowl for years with no ill effects at all. HPAI or High Pathogenic however causes serious sickness, leading to death in affected species. Avian Flu is spread by direct contact with contaminated surfaces, food, water and feces, saliva and mucus, and through consumption of a dead or sick bird by a predator.
Mammals who are infected may show the following signs:
*Respiratory as well as neurological symptoms including, tremors, walking in circles, pour balance, excessive saliva, or inability to walk. These are similar symptoms to distemper and rabies therefore additional precautions are already being taken.
Animals with the chance of having distemper for instance always go into our isolation rooms and are kept away from other animals. And we wear PPE protection around our animals already, masks, gloves, gowns etc. depending on the issue at hand. Then they are monitored closely. As a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, we will be kept up to date on this situation. Personal and animal safety is taken seriously in wildlife work. If HPAI hits us we will be ready to go into action. Biosecurity measures will be put into place.
Symptoms in wild birds are as follows:
*Nervousness, tremors, lack of coordination, swelling around neck, head and eyes, head tilt, lack of energy, lack of movement, gasping for air or coughing, diarrhea and of course death.
Here are some things you can do if you see a sick or dead bird from the species listed above, do not touch it, call: Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre at 1- 800- 673- 4781.
“Although chances of song birds catching HPAI are very low it’s still a good idea to keep feeder areas clean, to keep rodents away. To keep feeders and baths clean, clean well biweekly with 10%- or 1-part chlorine bleach to 9 parts water, scrub, rinse well and let air dry completely. Use only feeders that are easy to clean. This will help keep your wild songbirds healthy. Always remove wet seed as harmful bacteria and molds can set in.” As for other sightings, report to CCWHC (above) right away, and wait for instructions from them.
This information is not to make you anxious, but just to let you know and keep you informed of how you can help us and the wildlife, and stay safe. In fact, in handling any wildlife for any reason, for securing and transporting, your safety MUST come first. As hard as that may be at times. Always wearing gloves, even masks, and always washing your hands and sanitizing well. We are always here to help you. To instruct you. Teaching your children to keep their distance, be respectful and not to touch wildlife is very important, even at a young age. No chasing, yelling or feeding. Our world is a forever changing place in so many ways, but we as humans working together can make a difference.