The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative reports that a Canadian goose in Ottawa tested positive for bird flu. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark County Health Unit said Thursday that a Canadian goose was found to be positive for bird flu in its area. Health officials in the Kingston area said bird flu had been detected in the area. The Canadian Wildlife Health Association says a red-haired duck tested positive for the “highly pathogenic strain” of the avian influenza strain (H5N1). Avian influenza is a viral disease that mainly affects domestic poultry and wild birds such as geese, ducks and land birds, according to Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health. Health officials say the virus is not usually transmitted from birds to humans. “Most cases of avian influenza in humans have been detected in direct contact with live or dead infected poultry or their faeces,” the health unit said in a statement. “High-risk activities include caring for sick birds, dressing birds that have died of the disease, eating duck blood or possibly malnourished poultry, and handling birds involved in cockfighting.” “There is no evidence that properly cooked birds of prey are a source of human bird flu infection.” Health officials are urging people not to touch live or dead wild birds. If you have to come in contact with a wild bird, wear gloves or use a double plastic bag. Symptoms of bird flu can range from very mild to severe. If you have handled a sick wild bird with poultry, you should be aware of the following symptoms.
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue Conjunctivitis (red eyes) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures
Health officials say that if you find a sick or dead wild bird, contact the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Center at 1-800-567-2033.
