Avian flu confirmed in Markham, Prince Edward County, Chatham-Kent flocks

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is reporting four new confirmed cases of avian influenza (bird flu) across Ontario.

In a statement issued by the agency Thursday evening, officials said the H5N1 virus was detected in a backyard flock in Prince Edward County and in a poultry flock in Markham on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, avian flu was detected in poultry flocks in Markham and Chatham-Kent. The virus was also found in three Alberta poultry flocks.

News of the positive cases follows other detections in southwestern Ontario in recent weeks.

In March, the CFIA warned of a potential increase in cases due to birds migrating north from the United States where avian flu has been reported in at least 18 states.

RELATED: Ontario avian flu cases could rise as birds continue migrating north, CFIA cautions

“It is a devastating disease for commercial or poultry operations,” Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, the CFIA’s chief veterinary officer, told CityNews during an interview on March 29.

“Infected birds can shed avian influenza in their saliva, their nasal secretions, their feces, and it can also spread through contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus from infected birds like clothing, shoes, litter, feed and water.”

Ireland said on rare occasions the virus can affect humans and it is almost always acquired through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Of those human cases, she said most are limited to mild respiratory disease.

She encouraged those with flocks to help protect against the transmission of the avian influenza virus while also avoiding handling sick or dead birds.

“It is extremely important for bird owners, and that includes those with backyard flocks no matter what the size or species as well as commercial poultry producers, to have very strict biosecurity measures in place for their property,” Ireland said.

She also shared the following tips:

• Keep poultry, domestic bird coops away from areas frequented by wild birds like water and feeders
• Regularly clean water, feeders, coops, clothing
• If introducing new birds, keep the birds separate for a while to monitor health
• Monitor the signs and report suspected cases to CFIA immediately