The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are currently responding to cases of avian influenza virus (AIV) in southern Ontario. AIV can infect wild and domestic birds but is unlikely to transfer to humans.
AIV is a naturally occurring, contagious respiratory viral infection affecting birds. The current strain of AIV found in southern Ontario, H5N1, is known to spread quickly and cause mass bird mortality.
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) asks residents to exercise caution around wild birds at conservation areas, in parks, around your neighbourhood and in your yard. Do not handle wild birds. Residents that have backyard bird feeders and baths are asked to follow Government of Canada guidelines.
If you encounter an injured, ill or dead bird within a CVC conservation area, please contact CVC at 1-800-668-5557. If you are outside of a CVC conservation area, please contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781.
Visit the Government of Canada’s website for additional information on AIV.
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Media contact:
Jon MacMull
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communication
Credit Valley Conservation
905-670-1615 ext. 385
[email protected]