The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has identified a highly infectious form of avian influenza in multiple samples gathered in southern Manitoba following an extraordinary bird mortality event. Approximately 500 bird carcasses, predominantly Canada geese, were discovered near waterways in southern Manitoba in early December. While separate groups of deceased birds were found close to the Red River north of Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway, the most concentrated cluster was located within a group of ponds in Niverville.
According to Frank Baldwin, a biologist from the Canadian Wildlife Service, samples from the birds were sent to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after testing positive for avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, to ascertain the specific strain of the infection. The federal agency submitted 39 wild bird samples for testing at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease on Dec. 11. Lab results confirmed that 38 of the samples tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
University of Manitoba researcher Hannah Wallace, who specializes in viral immunology, expressed relief that the samples tested positive for the H5N1 strain, which is known to cause significant disease and fatalities in birds. She noted that the high mortality rate in geese due to bird flu had not been observed before, raising concerns about potential mutations of the virus into a more hazardous form for both birds and humans.
The collected samples confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain, which is prevalent among domestic poultry and wild bird populations in North America. Wallace emphasized that this finding was not unexpected and indicated that most birds in Canada had previously been exposed to the virus, potentially developing some level of pre-existing immunity.
Notably, avian influenza can persist in the environment even after bird migration seasons. Baldwin mentioned that avian influenza behaves differently each year, with varying levels of antibodies in birds to combat the virus. While farmers have implemented enhanced bio-security measures to prevent transmission, wild birds remain a challenge for controlling the spread of bird flu.
Candace Lylyk, owner of Breezy Birds Farm in Morris, Man., shared her concerns about wild birds posing a threat to her poultry farm and highlighted the changes made to protect her birds and livelihood. She emphasized the importance of strict bio-security protocols to prevent the introduction of the virus onto her farm, underscoring the significance of maintaining a safe environment for her birds.
In conclusion, the detection of the H5N1 avian influenza strain in southern Manitoba has raised awareness among scientists and poultry farmers about the ongoing risks associated with bird flu transmission and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard bird populations and prevent potential outbreaks.