The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has identified a highly infectious form of avian influenza in numerous samples collected in southern Manitoba following an extraordinary bird die-off event. Approximately 500 bird carcasses, predominantly Canada geese, were discovered near water streams in southern Manitoba earlier in December. Various clusters of deceased birds were located near the Red River north of Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway, with the most concentrated group found in ponds in Niverville.
Biologist Frank Baldwin from the Canadian Wildlife Service informed CBC News that bird samples were sent to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after testing positive for avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, to determine the strain of the infection. The federal agency disclosed that 39 wild bird samples were submitted for testing on December 11, with lab analysis confirming 38 samples were positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu.
University of Manitoba researcher Hannah Wallace, an expert in viral immunology, expressed relief that the samples tested positive for the H5N1 strain, which is associated with significant disease and mortality in birds. Wallace had been concerned about the possibility of the virus mutating into a more dangerous strain for both birds and humans, as geese had not previously displayed a high mortality rate from the bird flu.
H5N1, the strain detected in the samples, is the predominant type circulating among domestic poultry and wild bird populations in North America, as stated by the food inspection agency. Wallace noted that most birds in Canada have already been exposed to H5N1, providing them with some level of pre-existing immunity. She speculated that the deceased birds in southern Manitoba may have been more vulnerable to contracting H5N1 due to being weak or undernourished, possibly exacerbated by lingering in the province during colder weather and food scarcity conditions.
Avian influenza has been a longstanding concern for both scientists and poultry farmers in Manitoba. Rod Wiebe, the board chair of Manitoba Chicken Producers, highlighted the challenges posed by the virus’s contagious and deadly nature. While farmers can implement enhanced bio-security measures to prevent transmission, controlling bird flu becomes more difficult when wild birds are the source of contact, particularly during peak transmission periods in fall and spring migration.
Candace Lylyk, owner of Breezy Birds Farm in Morris, Manitoba, stressed the importance of protecting her poultry farm from wild birds, expressing fear of losing her livelihood and beloved birds. She has implemented strict measures to prevent the virus’s spread, including restricting farm access to customers and disinfecting vehicles entering the premises.
The discoveries in southern Manitoba underscore the ongoing threat posed by avian influenza and the need for continued vigilance and preventive measures to safeguard both wildlife and poultry populations.
