The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has asked the public to temporarily remove backyard bird feeders and empty all bird baths as bird flu continues to spread across the province.
Society said Thursday that the disease could be spread through feeders, “because they encourage unnatural flocks of birds and attract other wildlife.”
Spilled seeds are particularly dangerous, according to a statement, because ground-fed birds are also exposed to feces accumulated under the feeder.
“In rare cases, this virus can also cause disease in people who have been in close contact with infected birds or heavily polluted areas,” wrote Andrea Wallace, wildlife manager for the BC SPCA.
“We must do everything we can to stop H5N1 [avian flu virus] in your footsteps. “
As for the public, in addition to removing bird feeders and emptying bird baths, Wallace said the public should also keep an eye on sick birds.
“Birds may look lethargic, unusually” fluffy “, have nasal secretions or have excessive tearing of the eyes or swelling of the head and eyelids,” she said.
As of Wednesday, there were five outbreaks of bird flu among poultry flocks in Okanagan and Vancouver Metro. The virus can infect many different species of birds, including farm animals such as chickens and turkeys, but also wild birds and pets.
The H5N1 strain is considered highly contagious.
The affected farms are quarantined. BC ordered all poultry traders with more than 100 birds to move their flocks indoors by the end of spring migration in May to help stop the spread.
The latest confirmed infections are part of a larger outbreak that covers North America, including other provinces. Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the first case of human infection, although it said the risk to the public remained low.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the disease was not considered a serious concern for healthy people who were not in regular contact with infected birds.
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