Symptoms of avian influenza can be similar to the flu, including:

• Fever, cough, sore throat
• Runny nose, body aches, fatigue
• Red eyes, shortness of breath
• Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and seizures.

If you are exposed to birds, animals, or contaminated environments suspected of avian influenza, or if you experience symptoms, it is important to self-isolate and contact your healthcare provider, Health 811, or the health unit for guidance. Additionally, continue to isolate from others, practice respiratory etiquette by wearing a mask and maintaining proper hand hygiene, improve ventilation in your environment, and regularly clean surfaces to help prevent the spread of infection.

Wildlife: 

• Report any sick or dead wild birds/animals to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-800-567-2033. 

Domestic Birds: 

• If you observe sick or dead birds or other wildlife and suspect that avian influenza may be involved, contact your regional avian influenza hotline or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. 

For most people, the risk is low. Those who work closely with infected animals are at higher risk and should take precautions. Human cases of H5N1 are very rare, however in November 2024, Canada confirmed its first human case of avian flu.

Some examples of activities that may increase your risk of exposure and infection include:

• Working with infected poultry (like chickens, turkeys and ducks) or livestock (like cattle and goats) such as on a commercial farm or with small farms or backyard flocks
• Hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering infected wild birds and wild mammals
• Working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
• Working with wild mammals, especially those that commonly eat wild birds (like foxes, skunks, raccoons, mink and other farmed fur animals and some marine mammals)
• Visiting animal farms or live animal markets.

To minimize the risk of exposure to avian influenza, residents are encouraged to follow these precautions: 

• Avoid direct contact with ill or dead wild birds and animals. If handling is necessary, wear proper personal protective equipment i.e. gloves, mask and eye protection, place the animal in two sealed plastic bags, and wash hands thoroughly after contact. 

• For disposal of more than two birds/animals, contact your local municipality. 

• Report sick or dead wildlife to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-800-567-2033.  

• Follow safe cooking guidelines when preparing poultry and eggs. Always cook poultry to an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) to ensure safety from potential pathogens. Furthermore, it is crucial that individuals do not handle or eat any animals that appear to be sick or that have died from unknown causes. 

• Keep pets indoors or on leashes when outside to prevent them from coming into contact with wild birds, including waterfowl, to reduce the risk of exposure. 

• Monitor domestic birds for signs of illness and follow recommendations from the Environmental and Natural Resources Government of Canada. 

Hunters and trappers should also be careful when handling wild birds and some mammals, especially when field dressing, plucking and cleaning game. Following biosecurity measures and safe handling and cleaning guidelines such as wearing rubber gloves, using a well-ventilated area and washing your hands and surfaces, can drastically reduce your risk of exposure to avian influenza.  

People who work with infected birds or other susceptible wildlife are at increased risk of exposure to avian influenza and should take precautions.

• Protect yourself when handling birds and other wildlife:
  
  • Wear heavy gloves when handling animals that can pierce skin with beaks, teeth or claws; otherwise, wear rubber gloves or disposable gloves (e.g., nitrile).
  • Do no eat, drink or smoke, and do not touch your eyes or face while handling wildlife or cleaning contaminated areas and equipment.
  • Always work in a well-ventilated environment.
    
    
• If birds in your care show signs of illness (e.g., excessively watery eyes, swelling of the head and eyelids, neurologic symptoms, etc.), consult with a veterinarian immediately.
  
  
• If mammals in your care (e.g., foxes, mink, skunks) are acting strangely or show signs of neurological illness, consult a veterinarian immediately.
  
  
• If you are working with birds or mammals with signs of respiratory or neurologic illness or in locations where highly pathogenic avian influenza has been found in either wildlife or poultry, it is recommended to also wear:
  
  • Masks or respirators (e.g., N-95, KN-95, FFP2 or equivalent).
  • Eye protection (e.g., goggles, face shields, safety glasses)
  • Disposable gown or coveralls.
  • Disposable protective shoe/boot covers or rubber or polyurethane boots.
  • Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer when finished.
  • Use appropriate disinfectants to sanitize equipment.
    
    
• If you own domestic birds or poultry, reduce the risk to those birds through good biosecurity:
  
  • Use separate clothing, equipment and footwear for handling wild birds and other wildlife
  • Always practice good hand hygiene
    
    
• Avoid contact between your birds and wildlife.
  
  
• Poultry producers that suspect their birds may be infected with HPAI should contact a veterinarian to determine if further action is needed, or contact their nearest CFIA Animal Health office.

It is crucial to be aware of food safety guidelines to minimize the risk of contamination when handling poultry or eggs during an outbreak.

• Cook Poultry Thoroughly: Ensure all poultry, including chicken, turkey, and duck, is cooked to an internal temperature of at least 74°C (165°F). This is the most effective way to kill any potential viruses, including avian influenza.
  
  
• Handle Raw Poultry Carefully: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw poultry, eggs, or anything that comes in contact with them. Avoid cross-contaminating other foods by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw poultry.
  
  
• Avoid Raw or Undercooked Eggs: While avian influenza primarily spreads through the droppings or bodily fluids of infected birds, it's important to ensure that eggs are fully cooked to eliminate any risk of contamination. Avoid consuming raw or undercooked eggs during an outbreak.
  
  
• Store Poultry Safely: Refrigerate or freeze poultry and eggs as soon as possible after purchase. Keep raw poultry separate from other foods in your fridge to avoid cross-contamination.
  
  
• Follow Public Health Guidelines: During outbreaks, follow guidance from local public health authorities and food safety organizations regarding poultry consumption. If advised, avoid purchasing poultry or eggs from sources where an outbreak has been confirmed.

By following these precautions, we can minimize the risk of avian influenza transmission through food and help protect both our health and the health of our communities.

• Keep Cats Indoors: Cats are known to potentially be exposed to the virus through contact with infected wild birds or their droppings. To minimize this risk, keep cats indoors in areas experiencing outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza, as they may be more prone to encounter infected birds or contaminated environments.
  
  
• Leash Dogs Outdoors: Dogs should be kept on a leash when outside in areas with confirmed avian influenza cases. This ensures they do not come into contact with wild birds, bird droppings, or contaminated surfaces.
  
  
• Avoid Raw Meat from Game Birds: Do not feed your pets raw meat from game birds or wild birds, as they could be carriers of the virus. Cooking meat thoroughly eliminates any risk of infection from potential pathogens.
  
  
• Wash Hands Regularly: After handling pets, cleaning litter boxes, or coming into contact with areas where animals might have been, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This will help prevent any potential transmission of the virus from animals to humans, even though the risk is low.
  
  
• Keep Pet Birds Indoors: Pet birds that are normally kept outdoors should also be restricted to the indoors in areas experiencing outbreaks of avian influenza, particularly in regions where H5N1 is circulating among domestic or wild birds. This will reduce their exposure to the virus and help protect their health.

If you notice any unusual symptoms in your pets, such as lethargy, respiratory distress, or a loss of appetite, contact your veterinarian immediately. Even though the risk of transmission to mammals is low, early intervention can help ensure your pet’s health and safety.

By following precautions, you can help protect both you and your pets from avian influenza and contribute to the overall safety of your community. Always stay updated on local outbreaks and continue to follow guidelines from the Health Unit hkpr.on.ca/Subscribe.

Avian influenza is a viral infection that primarily affects birds, particularly wild waterfowl, but it can also spread to domestic poultry and other birds, including chickens, ducks, and pigeons. While not all strains of avian influenza are highly contagious to humans, it can be devastating to birds, especially in large flocks.

Backyard birds can be exposed to the virus if they come into contact with infected wild birds or contaminated environments. The virus is often spread through bird droppings, nasal secretions, and contaminated surfaces such as equipment, food, and water containers.

Be alert to the following symptoms in your backyard birds:

• Sudden death within the flock
• Swelling of the head, neck, and eyes
• Respiratory distress (coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge)
• Decreased egg production or soft-shelled eggs
• Diarrhea and lethargy

If you notice any of these signs, isolate the affected birds immediately and contact local agricultural or public health authorities for further testing and guidance.

To minimize the risk of avian influenza, follow these essential biosecurity practices:

• Limit Contact with Wild Birds: Prevent wild birds from accessing your backyard poultry area by keeping coops and enclosures covered. Avoid allowing your birds to roam freely in open areas where they may come into contact with wild birds or their droppings.
  
  
• Disinfect Equipment and Surfaces: Regularly clean and disinfect all equipment, including feeders, waterers, and tools. Wash your hands and change clothes before and after handling birds or their equipment.
  
  
• Restrict Visitor Access: Limit visits to your flock to essential personnel only. Visitors should disinfect their shoes and wash their hands before entering your poultry area.
  
  
• Separate Flocks: If you have different types of birds (e.g., chickens, ducks, pigeons), consider keeping them separated to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between species.

If you notice any signs of illness in your birds, act quickly:

• Isolate the sick birds from the rest of the flock to prevent the spread of infection.
• Contact your local Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-800-567-2033. 

If you encounter sick or dead wild birds on your property, do not touch them. Contact local wildlife or public health unit immediately to report the findings. They can help assess whether the birds may have been infected with avian influenza and take appropriate action.

Wildlife: 

• Report any sick or dead wild birds/animals to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-800-567-2033. 

Domestic Birds: 

• If you observe sick or dead birds or other wildlife and suspect that avian influenza may be involved, contact your regional avian influenza hotline or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.