Avian flu found in Niagara region Friday
Niagara Region Public Health announced Friday afternoon it is investigating a confirmed report of H5N1 avian influenza “in a mixed flock of birds including chicken, geese and ducks.”
“Only those working on the farm with the birds are at any risk, and Public Health has followed up with each one of them individually,” Dr. Joanne Kearon, Resident Physician with Niagara Region Public Health, said in a statement.
“We are working with our provincial and federal partners to contain the infection so that it doesn’t spread to any other birds, and in turn doesn’t pose a risk to anyone else.”
The region’s health agency says it is working with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to keep an eye on the situation.
Avian influenza, commonly known as “bird” flu, mainly affects wild birds and other domestic poultry like shore birds, ducks, and geese. It is uncommon for the virus to spread between birds and humans, but Niagara Region Public Health says it has happened before.
How it spreads to people is not known, but the health agency notes human cases of avian influenza have been traced to those with direct contact with infected poultry – both live and dead – or their feces.
Niagara Region Public Health recommends bird owners whose birds spend time outdoors exercise precautions like handwashing and wearing personal protective equipment.
Those with backyard chickens are also advised against bringing them indoors, “kissing and snuggling live poultry,” and are asked to sanitize their equipment frequently.
Ontarians can report sick or dead birds to the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 866-673-4781.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.