A snow goose near the town of Elrose, about 320 km northwest of Regina, was found to have the “highly pathogenic” H5I bird flu strain (HPAI) from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Veterinarian Trent Bollinger performed the autopsy in Saskatoon. Since then, he said, his lab at the University of Saskatchewan has tested more than 50 birds believed to have died from HPAI. The number of unreported deaths is even higher, he said. Influenza causes “quite dramatic mortality” in a range of wild and domestic bird species, including geese, eagles, predators and songbirds, according to Bollinger. Laboratories across Canada are seeing the deaths spread to domestic turkeys and flocks of chickens. “We will see mortality in a wide range of species. “I doubt it will cause population collapse,” Bollinger said. “The real impact will be on commercial poultry facilities.” The Ministry of Agriculture warns Saskatchewan poultry producers to follow biosecurity protocols given the threat of the disease. The ministry described various safeguards for the swarms. This includes keeping them away from poultry flocks and their food and water supplies, limiting visits, and securing consultation with a veterinarian if some birds become ill. Graham Snell, executive director of Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan, said their breeders are taking additional measures, such as disinfecting vehicles and wheel wells, changing footwear when entering the site and testing frequently. “During the normal period, biosafety standards are very strict,” he said, adding that consumers should not worry. “Food safety is so important, it always is. “They are just very careful at the moment, but there is really nothing to worry about.” Snell said the disease should not affect the supply chain. The HPAI has not detected commercial poultry or wild birds in Saskatchewan since 2007, according to the ministry. The H5 strain has been in Europe and Asia for many years, Bollinger said, but this is the first season to appear in North America. The United States located it before Canada. In late December, Maritimes reported the country’s first case, according to Bollinger. As the birds migrate north, he said the flu will continue to spread. “Waterfowl are a kind of mixing bath for these strains of the bird flu virus,” he said. The ministry also stressed that smaller flocks are at higher risk of contracting HPAI due to the increased likelihood that these flocks will come in contact with wild birds. The release instructed small herd owners to restrain their birds indoors as much as possible to minimize the chance of contact. The risk of transmitting HPAI to humans is low, according to the government, but it still warns the public not to touch dead birds or other wild animals with their bare hands. Gloves, masks and eye protection must be used to handle dead birds. As more and more migratory birds return to Saskatchewan daily, the government is urging the public to be vigilant and report any sick or dead birds to the Department of the Environment. Possible scenarios to be mentioned could include:
Clusters of two or more dead waterfowl (eg ducks, geese) or other waterfowl. Dead birds of prey or scavengers of birds (eg crows, crows, gulls). Predators, aquatic or scavengers of birds that appear to be sick. Large groups of dead birds (eg more than 50) of any kind.
