The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has identified a highly transmissible form of avian influenza in multiple samples obtained in southern Manitoba following an unforeseen mass bird mortality event. Approximately 500 bird carcasses, mostly Canada geese, were discovered close to water streams in southern Manitoba in early December. While various clusters of deceased birds were located near the Red River north of Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway, the largest concentration was found in a collection of ponds in Niverville.
According to Frank Baldwin, a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, tests conducted on the bird samples indicated the presence of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, prompting further analysis to determine the specific strain of the virus. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency submitted 39 wild bird samples for testing on December 11, with results confirming that 38 samples tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
Hannah Wallace, a researcher at the University of Manitoba specializing in viral immunology, expressed relief that the samples tested positive for the known H5N1 strain, which is recognized for causing significant illness and mortality in birds. She voiced concerns about the potential mutation of the virus into a more dangerous strain affecting both birds and humans, as previous cases of H5N1 in humans have raised alarms over the virus’s potential impact on public health.
The detected H5N1 strain in the collected samples aligns with the strain commonly circulating among domestic poultry and wild bird populations in North America, as reported by the food inspection agency. Wallace emphasized the importance of ongoing vigilance and monitoring of the virus, particularly considering the virus’s ability to persist in the environment, potentially posing threats to bird populations even after seasonal migrations.
Rod Wiebe, chair of Manitoba Chicken Producers, highlighted the challenges faced by poultry farmers due to the contagious and deadly nature of avian influenza, especially when transmission occurs through interactions with wild birds. While farmers implement bio-security measures to mitigate risks, the unpredictable nature of bird flu outbreaks, typically peaking during fall and spring migrations, remains a concern for the poultry industry.
Candace Lylyk, owner of Breezy Birds Farm in Morris, emphasized the precautions taken to safeguard her poultry farm from wild birds carrying the virus. Changes in farm operations, including restricted access and enhanced disinfection protocols, reflect the farm’s commitment to protecting livestock and livelihoods from the threat of avian influenza.
The discovery of H5N1 avian influenza in the deceased birds in Manitoba underscores the ongoing importance of surveillance and preventive measures to mitigate the risks posed by the virus to both bird populations and agricultural sectors.