Avian Flu

Whitby, Ontario - Durham Region Health Department is currently monitoring recent reports of dead birds that have been found in the Uxbridge area for potential avian influenza. In addition to reports from Uxbridge, the Health Department is also aware of other multiple dead bird sightings in other jurisdictions throughout the greater Toronto area.

“As it is currently migratory season for many bird species, residents may notice higher than usual sightings of birds that are sick or in distress, or birds that are found dead,” explained Dr. Pepi McTavish, Durham Region Associate Medical Officer of Health. “The Health Department is also closely monitoring this situation locally to determine if any of the dead or sick birds that have recently been found may be infected with avian influenza.”

According to Health Canada, signs that birds may be infected with avian influenza include:

• lack of energy or movement
• nervousness, tremors or lack of coordination
• swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
• diarrhea
• sudden death

Residents who find dead birds on their private property are advised to bury or double bag birds and dispose of all carcasses in the garbage. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends wearing gloves when handling wild bird carcasses and avoiding contact with blood, body fluids and feces. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer. Dead birds found on municipal property can be reported to the local municipality for pick-up.

Dead or sick bird sightings can also be reported to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative using their online reporting tool or by calling 1-866-673-4781.

Pet owners are recommended to keep cats indoors and dogs on a leash to prevent contact with sick or dead wild birds as well as wild bird feces and should not feed pets any raw meat from wild birds or poultry. Pet owners can also consult with their veterinarian for more information on avian influenza in dogs and other pets.

Residents with bird feeders in their yards are urged to remove feeders from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals. Additionally, if you provide care for poultry, it is important to prevent and eliminate contact between wild birds and poultry by removing outdoor sources of food, water, and shelter that may attract wild birds.

For more information about avian influenza, visit durham.ca/AvianInfluenza or call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department.

How to prevent and detect disease in backyard flocks and pet birds

Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative avian influenza information

Avian influenza in wild birds - Environment and Climate Change Canada

Avian influenza in Canadian wildlife dashboard

Wildlife and avian influenza - Handling guidelines to protect your health

Avian influenza in poultry

Avian Biosecurity - Protect Poultry, Prevent Disease

Carcass management guidelines - Effective disposal of animal carcasses and contaminated materials on small to medium-sized farms

Canadian Food Inspection Agency - backyard and commercial poultry

Personal Protective Equipment for poultry farm workers and those exposed to sick birds and mammals

1. What should I do if I find dead birds on private property?

Check with your local municipality for approved methods of disposing of dead birds. If your municipality allows, residents can bury or double bag dead birds and place in garbage for your regular garbage pick-up. Large numbers of dead wild birds should be managed as instructed by the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. 

Report sick or dead wild birds on the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online reporting tool.

When handling dead birds:

• Wear gloves at all times when handling wild bird carcasses and avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces.
• Use a small shovel to move the bird if possible, even while wearing gloves and place dead bird in a double bag.
• Place the bag carefully in a covered garbage container where it will be out of reach of pets, curious children or scavengers.
• Clean and disinfect any tools used in a solution of at least one part bleach to nine parts water.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soapy, warm water or use hand sanitizer, even if gloves are worn.

2. What should I do if I find dead birds on municipal property?

Dead migratory birds found on municipal property should be reported to your local municipality for pick-up.

3. How do I report any dead or sick bird sightings?

Please report dead or sick birds to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online reporting tool or by phone: 1-866-673-4781.

4. What are some recommendations for pet owners?

• Limit interactions between pets and wild birds.
• Do not feed pets any raw meat from wild birds or poultry.
• Consult with your veterinarian for more information on avian influenza in pets.

5. Are there any recommendations when feeding wild birds in my backyard?

• Feeders should be removed from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals.
• If you care for poultry, prevent and/or eliminate contact between wild birds and poultry (e.g., include the removal of exterior/outdoor sources of food, water, and shelter that attract wild birds).
• Backyard bird feeders and baths should be cleaned regularly, at least every two weeks, using a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water. Ensure that they are well rinsed and dried before re-use.
• If sick birds are observed near bird feeders, the feeders should be removed and the sick birds reported to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

6. How can I protect domestic and captive birds?

• Limit access of domestic birds to the outdoors and ponds or bodies of water used by wild birds.
• Owners must minimize contact between wild birds and their small flocks.

7. Are poultry and eggs safe to eat?

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), there is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit avian flu to humans. Practice safe food handling and cooking practices for poultry and poultry products (eggs).

8. Who conducts wild bird surveillance?

Wild bird surveillance is conducted through a collaboration between:

• CFIA (HPAI in wildlife dashboard)
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC)

9. Who is monitoring potential positive cases in birds at poultry farms/agricultural environments?

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are the lead agencies for tracing cases in birds on farms or in other facilities that process poultry.

Durham Region Health Department works with other public health units to follow any farm/agricultural workers who may have been exposed to avian influenza. There have been no human cases in Durham Region.