Around this time of year, you may take precautions to protect yourself and others from becoming ill, like getting a flu shot, a COVID vaccine or wearing a mask again.
Most wild animals cannot protect themselves from two serious diseases found in Ontario: bird flu and rabies. Here’s how you can spot and prevent the spread of each on your property and in your community.
Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)
This virus made headlines in 2022 after the large-scale global pandemic first struck and devastated wild and domestic bird populations. There are 547 positive cases* in Ontario.
The current influenza virus strain is highly contagious, however, other strains naturally occur and infect birds without causing such widespread outbreaks. The severity of symptoms determines how contagious a specific strain is. In this case, the symptoms are severe enough to cause death and could possibly infect humans.
What to Look For
Symptoms in infected birds include swelling around their head, neck and eyes, gasping for air, coughing, sneezing, lacking coordination and dropping dead.
Prevention
- Travelling? Avoid visiting poultry farms, live bird markets or other areas where birds congregate.
- If you handle birds, always clean your hands, clothing and footwear before and after handling.
- Keep pet birds safe, by preventing wildlife access to food and water dishes.
How to Report
Call the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781.
Rabies
A fearsome disease, rabies can infect any mammal and is almost always fatal. In 2023, there were 56 confirmed cases in Ontario.
What to Look For
Infected wildlife may either have the dumb or furious form. Animals with the dumb form of rabies have a saggy face, drool or locked limbs (partial paralysis). They may also be alone and non-responsive to their environment.
Animals with the furious form of rabies show aggression to other animals and objects, will gnaw on their own limbs and are easily agitated.
Prevention
Avoid touching wildlife saliva regardless of whether or not it’s infected. Rabies spreads through saliva, which can be transmitted through biting and spitting. Getting saliva or nervous system tissue into open wounds or cuts, and in the mucus of the mouth, nose, eyes will transfer the disease.
Remove potential food sources, like pet water and food bowls from outside.
Check your truck, boat or trailer for stowaway raccoons, bats or rabies-prone animals.
Make areas around your home less attractive to wildlife, for example, by blocking off access to porches, sheds and chimneys. Check these areas annually for signs of access.
Do not trap or move wildlife.
How to Report
- If you, or another person, comes into contact with rabies, call your local health unit.
- If your pet comes into contact with it, call your vet.
- If you find an animal that is alive but infected and it is an emergency, call the OPP/local police. If it is not an emergency, call your local SPCA or an authorized wildlife rehabilitator.
- If you find an animal that is dead, call the rabies information line at: 1-888-574-6656
Don’t Risk it, Prevent it
Abundant wildlife is a source of enjoyment in rural areas. Taking proper precautions reduce the health risks for everyone and ensures we can continue to enjoy these experiences.
These figures are as of November 5, 2024.