Multiple geese tested positive for H5N1, authorities said
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Another Canadian province has confirmed cases of avian influenza.
Quebec is the latest province to verify the presence of the H5N1 strain after three wild birds tested positive for the virus, the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks said on April 4.
The confirmations came from one Canada goose in Granby, Que., and two snow geese in the Montérégie region.
These cases have Quebec’s agriculture ministry reminding poultry producers to minimize contact between their flocks and wild birds.
“Rigorous prevention and biosecurity measures must be applied, both on commercial farms and in backyards. Carefully monitor the health of your birds. In case of unusual mortality or other signs of disease, consult a veterinarian,” the ministry said in the April 4 update.
The three cases in Quebec add to Canada’s growing number of infected birds.
In December 2021, birds in Newfoundland and Labrador tested positive for H5N1, marking the first case of bird flu in Canada since 2016, Canadian Food Inspection Agency data says.
Since then, there’s been another case in that province, four in Nova Scotia and six in Ontario.
This is in addition to 102 flocks in the United States being affected by the virus.
The situation with H5N1 is to a point where the Feather Board Command Centre has declared the strain “established” in North America.
In Canada, H5 and H7 strains of avian flu are considered Notifiable Avian Influenza, which is a reportable disease under the animal health legislation.