WARNING: This story contains photos that some can find disturbing.
A large number of Mooribundos and Dead Canada geese in Vernon Bridge, Pei, were probably sick of avian flu, says a veterinarian from the Canadian Health Cooperative of Wildlife.
A provincial conservation officer collected samples of the bodies of 17 dead geese found on the ice of the Vernon river in East Pei and delivered them to the Virology Laboratory of the Atlantic Veterinary College to perform tests.
“Preliminary results show that they are positive for avian influenza,” said Megan Jones, regional director of the Atlantic Node of the Canadian Health Cooperative of Wildlife in Pei
These results should be confirmed at the National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg. This laboratory has experience in the Aviar influenza, which is also known as avian and formally flu as H5N1.
Although some can find annoying to see large amounts of wild birds dying, Jones said it is not really alarming.
“It is a virus that we know is here and we know what this does,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
The H5N1 virus subtype was first detected on the island in March 2022, when a The case was confirmed In the fabrics of a bald eagle that is located on the north coast of Pei.
Jones said that carnivores that geese consumption could also get sick. She said that avian flu is not only a respiratory disease, but can spread through the body of an infected animal.
‘It’s so sad’
Point Prime resident, Gillis, said he saw some corpses of Canadian geese that Eagles ate while driving on the bridge this week.
He said it is not something he has noticed in recent years.
“It’s very sad to see the Eagles swallow them,” Gillis said. “I think it’s a shame.”
Canada’s geese infected with avian flu can behave strangely or have tremors, which is a sign that the infection is in their brain, Jones said.
“Once the birds show these clinical signs, it is a rather poor prognosis and it is quite unlikely that they survive on their own.”
What are the risks?
Canada’s sick geese does not represent much danger to the general public, but the risk is greater for those who handle the sick or dead wildlife, Jones said.
Aviar flu can affect humans, as well as domestic animals, so it is important to be cautious, he said.
“If people are frequent areas where these birds are sick, they could obtain viruses in their boots, for example, through feces,” Jones said.
“If there are birds in people’s property, especially water birds, such as ducks and geese, they could take it to their property.”
Jones said he recommends minimizing direct contact with animals, as well as any contact with food for animals and water.
It is also important to prevent domestic pets such as cats and dogs from eating dead birds, Jones said.
In terms of what can be done by the sick geese of Canada, Jones said that the avian flu virus is difficult to treat.
“Once the birds are sick, there really is nothing to do.”
