Canada - British Columbia: Avian flu in wild birds 2024-2025

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news...luelet-7331762

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve warns of avian flu around Tofino - Ucluelet
Sick or deceased birds should be reported to the Provincial Wild Bird Reporting Line: 1-866-431-2474
Andrew Bailey Andrew Bailey
about 8 hours ago

The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has confirmed cases of avian influenza.

The Park Reserve is located between Tofino and Ucluelet and in a statement released Tuesday evening, March 19, Superintendent Dave Tovell said “birds in the region are experiencing avian influenza.”

[Lance]

Canada - Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Follow up report 1


GENERAL INFORMATION

COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease

EVENT ID
5582

DISEASE
Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2024/01/01

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2015/02/04

CONFIRMATION DATE
2024/01/15

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE- SELF-DECLARATION

NO REPORT INFORMATION

REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 1

REPORT ID
FUR_166675

REPORT REFERENCE- REPORT DATE
2024/04/12

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT

EPIDEMIOLOGY

SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION

• Contact with wild species

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
This event is the continuation of event #4191 for reporting wild birds with high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus. Outbreaks are reported by province/territory. The geographical marker is on the capital. Outbreaks of HPAI in domestic non-poultry are reported in Event Banks need to think about..... For detailed and current information on high pathogenicity avian influenza cases in wild birds, please consult : http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/avian_influenza.php. Wildlife surveillance as well as the Canadian Avian Influenza Surveillance System (CanNAISS) activities for poultry are ongoing in Canada. According to Article 10.4.1.4. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Member Country should not impose bans on the international trade of poultry commodities in response to notification of infection with any Influenza A viruses in birds other than poultry.

QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY

MEASURING UNIT
Animal

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated Cooper's Hawk (WILD)NEW-3----TOTAL-3---- Wood Duck (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Northern Pintail (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- American wigeon (WILD)NEW-3----TOTAL-3---- Green-winged Teal (WILD)NEW-3----TOTAL-3---- Northern Shoveler (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Mallard (WILD)NEW-10----TOTAL-10---- American Black Duck (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Snow Goose (WILD)NEW-8----TOTAL-15---- Anserinae (unidentified) (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Ross's Goose (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Great Blue Heron (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Canada Goose (WILD)NEW-63----TOTAL-79---- Cackling Goose (WILD)NEW-8----TOTAL-8---- Snowy Owl (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Great Horned owl (WILD)NEW-4----TOTAL-12---- Red-tailed Hawk (WILD)NEW-9----TOTAL-9---- Dunlin (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- American crow (WILD)NEW-15----TOTAL-17---- Common Raven (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Blue jay (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Trumpeter Swan (WILD)NEW-3----TOTAL-4---- Peregrin falcon (WILD)NEW-4----TOTAL-4---- Bald Eagle (WILD)NEW-2----TOTAL-2---- Laridae (unidentified) (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Herring Gull (WILD)NEW-4----TOTAL-4---- Glaucous-winged Gull (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Great black-backed Gull (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Double-crested cormorant (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-1---- Black-billed Magpie (WILD)NEW-3----TOTAL-3---- Barred Owl (WILD)NEW-3----TOTAL-3---- Barn Owl (Common Barn-Owl) (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- Hooded Merganser (WILD)NEW-1----TOTAL-1---- American goshawk (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-1---- All speciesNEW-161----TOTAL-197----

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

CLINICAL SIGNS
NO

METHOD OF DIAGNOSTIC
Diagnostic test

Gene sequencing	National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD), Winnipeg, Manitoba	Great Horned owl,Snow Goose,Mallard,Ross's Goose,Cackling Goose,Herring Gull,Northern Shoveler,Black-billed Magpie,Red-tailed Hawk,Great Blue Heron,Great black-backed Gull,Glaucous-winged Gull,Dunlin,Bald Eagle,Barn Owl (Common Barn-Owl),Snowy Owl,Peregrin falcon,Laridae (unidentified),Barred Owl,Hooded Merganser,Common Raven,Anserinae (unidentified),Canada Goose,Blue jay,American Black Duck,Wood Duck,Double-crested cormorant,American wigeon,Trumpeter Swan,American goshawk,Northern Pintail,Green-winged Teal,American crow,Cooper's Hawk	10	2024/01/15	2024/03/28	Positive
Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR)	National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD), Winnipeg, Manitoba	Common Raven,Dunlin,Peregrin falcon,Anserinae (unidentified),Barn Owl (Common Barn-Owl),Hooded Merganser,Cooper's Hawk,Snow Goose,Wood Duck,Green-winged Teal,Canada Goose,American crow,Northern Pintail,Glaucous-winged Gull,Barred Owl,Red-tailed Hawk,Great Horned owl,American goshawk,Laridae (unidentified),American Black Duck,American wigeon,Cackling Goose,Mallard,Double-crested cormorant,Ross's Goose,Northern Shoveler,Black-billed Magpie,Trumpeter Swan,Herring Gull,Great Blue Heron,Snowy Owl,Great black-backed Gull,Blue jay,Bald Eagle	10	2024/01/15	2024/03/28	Positive

NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_133570 - NL-2024-HPAI-WB-1 - NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR - WILDBIRDS

OB_133569 - NS-2024-HPAI-WB-1 - NOVA SCOTIA - WILDBIRDS

OB_133568 - SK-2024-HPAI-WB-1 - SASKATCHEWAN - WILDBIRDS

OB_133567 - NB-2024-HPAI-WB-1 - NEW BRUNSWICK - WILDBIRDS

OB_133566 - BC-2024-HPAI-WB-1 - BRITISH COLUMBIA - WILDBIRDS



https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5582

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5582

[Pathfinder]

Goose encounter scrutiny increases after suspected B.C. human avian flu case

Residents asking what do you do when a goose dies in your backyard?

The Canadian Press
about 5 hours ago

Carolyn Law didn’t think much of it when a snow goose landed in her Richmond, B.C., backyard, on Halloween.

But hours later it had barely moved. Then it started bobbing its head repeatedly. About eight hours after she first saw the bird, it rolled over, began convulsing and died.
...
Law said she called a wildlife rescue group and was told the symptoms suggested avian flu rather than a physical injury, but without testing it couldn’t be confirmed.
...
Brian Ward, an infectious diseases microbiologist at McGill University, said he couldn’t speculate whether the goose in Law’s backyard had influenza, but “it’s possible if there are some increasing number of ducks and geese found dead, then they’re very likely to have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.”

Ward said it was concerning that authorities were unsure how the sick B.C. teenager caught H5N1, with Henry saying the teen had no known contacts with poultry farms.
...

https://www.rosslandnews.com/news/goose-encounter-scrutiny-increases-after-suspected-bc-human-avian-flu-case-7643844

See also:
Canada - British Columbia health statement: First presumptive positive human case of H5 avian influenza detected in B.C. - confirming test pending - November 9, 2024

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/...ovember-9-2024

[Pathfinder]

B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk

The Canadian Press

Updated Nov. 14, 2024 10:15 p.m. CST
...
Dr. Theresa Burns says in a letter to vets last week that reporting of sick and dead wild birds across the province has increased recently and clinics handling wild birds must have safety procedures in place and ensure staff are trained and equipped with proper protection.

Days after Burns issued her letter, B.C. health authorities announced the first case of human bird flu infection acquired in Canada, with the teenage patient in critical condition.
...
When birds get this flu they present with symptoms such as an inability to fly, weakness, and neurologic signs, she said.

"And then people find those birds, and out of the goodness of their hearts, they pick them up to try to help them, and they often will bring them into veterinary clinics for care," she said.
...
Rob Hope, general manager of the OWL rehabilitation facility in Delta, B.C., says the centre, which cares for raptors, including eagles, falcons, hawks, and owls, has taken extra precautions to prevent the spread of avian flu for years.
...
He said the centre has seen an increase in cases over the last few weeks compared with last month and that many of the animals die within 24 hours.
...
Migratory wild birds, particularly waterfowl species such as ducks and geese, are believed to be the primary carrier of the disease, but government data show other infected species have included hawks, ravens and herons.
...

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-s-chief-vet-tells-clinics-to-set-up-bird-flu-protocols-amid-human-exposure-risk-1.7110867

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.thefreepress.ca/news/avi...tlands-7649839

Avian flu detected in Fraser Valley wetlands
The virus has been detected from Delta to Chilliwack, and suspected to be 'widespread' within the Fraser Valley
Kyler Emerson Kyler Emerson
25 minutes ago

The avian flu is considered to be "widespread" throughout the Fraser Valley wetlands, after being detected in wetlands from Delta to Chilliwack, including Langley.

The virus, also called H5N1 or H5-HPAI, was detected in the first half of October at Mill Lake in Abbotsford, West Creek Wetlands in Langley, and Roberts Bank Foreshore and the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, according to a notice being sent to poultry farmers or owners registered with the BC Premises ID Program.

"The virus has now been detected in wetlands from Delta to Chilliwack and is likely widespread throughout the Fraser Valley," reads the notice, which is being shared across social media....

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https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5582

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.kelownanow.com/watercool...t_were_found_i n_the_Shuswap/

Bird flu confirmed in dead geese that were found in the Shuswap
BC Interior posted Dec 31, 2024 @ 12:30pm by Cheyanna Lorraine

People in the Shuswap are being asked to report sightings of dead waterfowl and avoid touching them after Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu was detected in the area.

According to the District of Sicamous, there were reports of dead geese near the mouth of the Eagle River and at Mara Lake.

Testing determined the geese had bird flu...

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5582

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5582

[Commonground]

Confirmed cases of Avian Flu in Oliver

Sep 5, 2025

The Town of Oliver is advising the public that Avian Influenza was the cause of death of birds found deceased in the area.

Members of the public are being advised to avoid handling live or dead wild birds. If you must handle a bird, always wear disposable gloves or alternatively, slip a plastic bag over your hand or use a tool (like a stick) to transfer the bird into a box or container without direct contact.

Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, afterwards, and disinfect any surface that came into contact with the bird using alcohol, a diluted bleach solution, or a commercial cleaner.

Avian Influenza primarily effects waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.), and can spread to domestic poultry (turkeys, ducks, chickens). The town is also urging residents to protect their pets by preventing contact with wild birds and bird droppings.

In seeking more information from the town – including how many birds were found dead, where and when and what prompted the bird carcasses to be sent for testing, amongst other questions – the Times Chroniclewas informed at 3:20 p.m. (20 minutes after receiving the release from the Town of Oliver) that all relevant staff able to speak to the issue had “already gone home” for the weekend.

The Times Chronicle will update the information once the relevant Town of Oliver staff are available again.

continued: https://www.timeschronicle.ca/confir...flu-in-oliver/

[Pathfinder]

Related to the post above:


/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver,_British_Columbia
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AVIAN INFLUENZA

Sep 5, 2025

For Immediate Release

September 5, 2025

Confirmed cases of Avian Flu in Oliver

The Town of Oliver is advising the public that Avian Influenza was the cause of death of birds found deceased in the area.

In general, members of the public should avoid handling live or dead wild birds. If you must handle a bird, always wear disposable gloves. Alternatively, slip a plastic bag over your hand or use a tool (like a stick) to transfer the bird into a box or container without direct contact. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, afterwards, and disinfect any surface that came into contact with the bird using alcohol, a diluted bleach solution, or a commercial cleaner.

If you observe clusters or groups of deceased birds, please submit a report by calling the Wild Bird Mortality Line at 1-866-431-BIRD (2473).

Avian Influenza primarily effects waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.), and can spread to domestic poultry (turkeys, ducks, chickens). Please also protect your pets by preventing contact with wild birds and bird droppings.

While head tremors and limp neck are common signs of avian influenza in sick wild birds, signs of Avian Flu in domestic birds can include:

• Drop in production of eggs/soft shells/eggs without shells
• High and sudden mortality rate
• Quietness and extreme depression
• Swelling of the skin under the eyes
• Swelling/congestion of wattles and combs

For more information please visit the below resources:
Government of British Columbia: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/i...n-influenza-ai
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...enza-h5n1.html
BCCDC: https://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/dis...vian-influenza

Inquiries:
Town of Oliver
250.485.6200

https://www.oliver.ca/government-bylaws/news-alerts/avian-influenza

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https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5582

[Pathfinder]

October 6, 2025

News & Updates

Hunters are advised to follow best practices due to Avian Influenza Virus

Avian flu occurs naturally in wild and domesticated birds. Highly pathogen avian flu has been detected in North America, including British Columbia.

Low pathogenic strains are common, and birds tend not to show outward signs of disease. Highly pathogenic strains are more likely to cause noticeable disease in birds, especially domesticated species, but also in wild birds.

The Avian Influenza Virus does not pose a risk to humans if birds are properly handled and cooked. That said, human infections do occur, and a child was confirmed to have contracted avian flu in British Columbia last year.

The Public Health Agency of Canada provides the following advice to hunters:

• Do not handle or eat birds that appear to be ill or that have died from unknown causes.

• When handling birds, stay upwind to avoid inhaling dust, feathers, and aerosols.

• When handling birds indoors, use a properly ventilated environment. Wearing a mask will further reduce your risk of inhaling pathogens.

• Avoid contact with blood, feces, and respiratory secretions. Wear protective gloves.

• When you are finished handling a carcass, wash your hands with warm water and soap, or use hand sanitizer.

• Clean and disinfect working surfaces and tools.

• If you become ill in the 10 days after handling wild birds, contact your health care provider.

• Cook game meat and organs to an internal temperature of 165F and whole birds to 180F.

• Store raw meat, organs, and eggs separately from other foods to avoid contamination.

Learn more about Avian Influenza Virus, how to identify sick birds, and how to report sick or dead birds from the B.C. Government website.

Common Questions

Is my dog at risk from avian flu?

We know that mammals including dogs can catch and carry avian influenza and that symptoms vary quite a bit between species. If your dog becomes ill after contact with game birds, isolate it from other animals and family members, especially if they are medically compromised. Tell your vet in advance that avian flu is a possible source of the illness before arriving at the clinic. Symptoms may include lethargy, respiratory distress, loss of appetite, shaking, or lack of coordination.

How widespread is the avian flu?

The B.C. Wildlife Health Program and the Canadian Wildlife Service operate a Wild Bird Mortality Investigation Line (1-866-431-2473) so people can call in to report sick or dead birds. They can’t collect every carcass, but try to respond when there are clusters of dead birds in the same place at the same time or when public health is concerned about a possible human exposure. Don’t collect a carcass yourself, unless you are specifically asked to do so.

What do hunters need to know about handling wild birds?

Birds can be asymptomatic and still carry the virus, which can also be found on their feathers. That material can easily be aerosolized and inhaled, even after freezing. When cleaning a bird, work in a well-ventilated space and use protective gear, including a mask and disposable gloves. Avian influenza is most prevalent during the spring and fall migration seasons, affecting game birds, predators such as eagles, and scavengers such as crows.

Do not handle or eat birds or mammals that appear to be sick or that have died from unknown causes. After you are done, thoroughly clean and disinfect tools and work surfaces. Keep children and pets away from materials and areas that could be contaminated. If you become ill with influenza symptoms within 10 days after handling wild birds or other wildlife, see your health care provider. Inform your health care provider that you have been in contact with wildlife.

Advice from the Government of Canada

There is no evidence to suggest that fully cooked game meat, organs, or eggs are a source of avian influenza infection for people. Cooking your game meat, organs, and eggs eliminates foodborne pathogens including bacteria and viruses.

• Cook game meat and organs thoroughly.

• Cook pieces and cuts to an internal temperature of 74°C (165° F).

• Cook whole birds to an internal temperature of 82°C (180° F).

• Cook eggs to an internal temperature of 74°C (165° F).

Follow general safe food handling practices such as:

• Keeping raw meat, organs, and eggs separate from other food products to avoid cross contamination.

• Washing hands often, including before and after handling raw foods.

• Thoroughly cleaning contaminated tools and work surfaces with hot, soapy water and then using a household disinfectant (e.g., 5 teaspoons (25mL) of household bleach in 2L of water).

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative maintains a High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Wildlife Dashboard that tracks confirmed cases in a variety of species by region.

https://bcwf.bc.ca/hunters-are-advised-to-follow-best-practices-due-to-avian-influenza-virus-2/

[Pathfinder]

/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comox_Valley
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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

October 19th, 2025 Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

⚠️ HPAI (Avian Influenza) is highly suspected to be back in the Comox Valley. ⚠️

This disease often presents as certain birds “acting strangely”. Infected birds can appear disoriented and wobbly, unstable, or may be rocking back and forth. In many cases, they have a head twitch/recurrent tick, and may even appear blind with hazy eyes (sometimes described as having blue eyes). Diarrhea can be a very bright green.

Avian Influenza depletes populations in the wild and has affected over 8 million birds to date in BC. Some species across the world have taken huge population declines from HPAI which has significantly affected conservation efforts of certain species worldwide .

If you spot wildlife acting strangely and exhibiting the symptoms listed in the graphic, particularly waterfowl, gulls, sea and shorebirds, but also raptors and corvids, we urge you to call our wildlife hospital to notify us at 250-337-2021.

If you find dead wild birds that you suspect to have died from HPAI (have died with no obvious injuries), please call to report them to the Avian Mortality and Flu Surveillance line at 1-866-431-2473

https://marswildliferescue.com/avian-influenza-hpai/

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MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre

1d ·
AVIAN FLU We have had our first confirmed case of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or "Bird Flu") at our hospital this year.

Early this morning we received a call from an observant member of the public about a Canada Goose that was acting strangely, appearing injured, although there were no visible physical injuries. This video (no sound) shows that the bird was wobbly and almost disorientated. Fortunately, one of our volunteers was there in five minutes to grab the bird and bring it in.

We would like to take this chance to remind every one of how severe "Bird Flu" is and how devastating the consequences are on wild and domestic populations of the susceptible species.

SYMPTOMS
- Abnormal behaviour: falling over, head tilt, head and neck twisting, circling, paralysis, seizures
- Abnormal movement: unable to stand or flap wings properly, yet with no traumatic injuries
- Diarrhea
- Regurgitation
- Sneezing
- Blue “hazy” eyes
- Unexplained emaciation

If you spot struggling wildlife, in waterfowl, gulls, sea and shore-birds, but also raptors and corvids, we urge you to call our wildlife hospital at 250-337-2021.

To find out more information about HPAI (Bird Flu), please check out the public health page at https://www.canada.ca/.../avian.../prevention-risks.html
Lisa Grieve

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1391864179024017