Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is currently investigating a confirmed avian influenza (H5N1) report found in a local flock in Selwyn Township. This is the fifth confirmed report of avian influenza on an Ontario farm in recent weeks.

“The risk to human health remains low and we do not know of any local human cases at this time,” said Dr Thomas Piggott, MD. “The virus is not easily transmitted from birds to humans, and the current strain is reported to be a worrying ‘lower than normal’ spread to humans.”

PPH works closely with provincial and federal partners, including the Ontario Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for research, Piggott said.

In March 2022, the HPAI H5N1 virus was detected in Ontario in wild and commercial poultry. Its spread has been attributed mainly to the migration of infected waterfowl.

Avian influenza is a viral disease that mainly affects domestic poultry and wild birds such as geese, ducks and land birds. Wild birds, especially waterfowl, are a natural reservoir for mild strains of avian influenza. The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza (HPAI) is known to kill both wild birds and commercial poultry.

Residents should not touch a wild bird, including waterfowl, which is sick, injured or dead. Report any sick or dead birds (including waterfowl) to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Ontario Regional Center at (866) 673-4781.

Those who have backyard chickens or other poultry can get more information on preventing and detecting yard flock and pet birds available here or by calling the CFIA at 226-217-8022.

It is unlikely that bird flu can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of undercooked eggs or poultry. As a general practice, food safety measures should always be applied when handling poultry and egg products, such as hand washing before and after food handling, keeping products separate to avoid cross-contamination, cleaning and disinfection. all surfaces and complete cooking of poultry products.

For more information, visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca and search for the word “bird flu”.

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