Nunavut - Avian influenza in mammals 2024

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Bird flu under surveillance in the Canadian Arctic

Seals are among the species being tested in Nunavut for the presence of the avian influenza virus.

RCI
Posted at 7:23 am

Cases of bird flu detected in mammals around the world are prompting authorities in the Canadian Arctic to monitor the situation closely and test more northern species.

The first case of bird flu in Nunavut this year was discovered in a fulmar on October 3 near Resolute Bay.

According to Jon Neely , operations coordinator for Nunavut's wildlife division, the strain of virus identified is similar to the one circulating in Greenland.

Cases of bird flu began appearing in Nunavut in 2022. Jon Neely does not believe the virus is widespread in the territory.

The presence of the virus in mammals, including northern species, however, prompts the authorities to exercise vigilance.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the virus has been detected in 12 species of wild mammals and at least 100 species of wild birds in the country since the outbreak began in 2022.

In Nunavut, five lemmings have been tested this year, all negative, according to Jon Neely . A test done on a seal is still awaiting results, he adds.

Brian Stevens , a wildlife pathologist with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, would like to test more species in the North. The logistical challenges of such a campaign are numerous, he says.

Samples must first be sent to the joint Ontario/Nunavut laboratory of the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System at the University of Guelph . They are then sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg.

Added to this is the training of people living in remote communities to collect the samples, and their transport.

We don't want hunters who are inexperienced with these diseases to end up on the front lines, which could put their safety at risk , he adds.

The Government of Nunavut has trained wildlife officers in most communities, with a few exceptions.

Jon Neely said partnerships have been developed with local hunting and fishing associations in communities without wildlife officers. Some wildlife officers also travel to those locations.

The Nunavut government relies on reports of suspected cases from community members, says Jon Neely .

Hunters are our most valuable resource , he emphasizes.

Beware of raw meat

According to the Nunavut Department of Health, eating infected birds or bird eggs, when cooked, poses only a very low risk to humans.

Typically, cases of bird flu in humans are caused by prolonged and close contact with infected live or dead poultry, or contaminated environments , the ministry said in a statement last month.

Three people cut raw fish in Nunavut.

Brian Stevens recommends not eating raw meat from animals that are sick or killed by disease.

Signs to recognize an infected animal include lack of coordination, swelling around the head, tremors and diarrhea.

With information from Samuel Wat

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/fr/nouvelle/2121889/nunavut-aviaire-mammifere-tes

 

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Avian Influenza confirmed in seals near Resolute Bay

Last updated Friday, December 13, 2024

The Department of Environment and the Department of Health, have confirmed cases of avian influenza in two ringed seals collected near Resolute Bay in October. This follows the detection of avian influenza found in a seabird earlier this October. Since then, there have been no known reported cases of transmission to other animals or humans.

Avian influenza or bird flu is a viral infection that is highly contagious among birds and is found in domestic poultry and wild birds including raptors, gulls, terns, shorebirds, ducks, geese, and swans. In recent months, the virus has also been detected in mammals globally, including species native to the Arctic. Signs that wildlife could have avian influenza include:

• Nervousness.
• Trembling or lack of coordination
• Swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• Diarrhea or sudden death.

Multiple dead birds or mammals in one location may be a sign that the virus is present. There is no current evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmission of the disease, as cases in mammals are almost exclusively linked to direct contact with infected birds.

The risk of avian influenza infection in the general public is considered low. There is no evidence to suggest that the avian influenza virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of fully cooked mammals, game birds, or eggs. In general, human cases of avian influenza are caused by close, prolonged contact with infected live or dead wildlife or contaminated environments.

As many Nunavummiut actively engage in hunting and harvesting, it is important to know the key precautions that should be taken to limit the spread of disease and minimize risk to people. Basic food safety measures are recommended for hunters and other handlers to reduce the risk of illness and the spread of the virus include:

• Wearing gloves.
• Washing hands with soap and warm water.
• Clean soiled clothing and equipment as soon as possible.

Guidance on best practices to reduce the risk of human infection has been developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Nunavut (GN), and can be accessed on the GN website.

If you notice any unusual death or illness in wildlife, contact your local Conservation Officer. If you feel very sick after handling wildlife, contact your local health centre. For more information, please refer to the Government of Canada’s website.

The GN will not continue reporting subsequent confirmed cases. Please visit the Government of Canada’s Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza tracker for live data on cases of avian influenza in Canada.
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https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/newsroom/avian-influenza-confirmed-seals-near-resolute-bay-2024-12-13

 

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