Avian Influenza (Bird Flu, AI, or H5N1) is a disease caused by a virus that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds such as geese, ducks, and shore birds. Each year, there is a “bird flu” season, and some forms of the “bird flu” are worse than others. Wild birds, especially waterfowl, are a natural reservoir for mild strains of AI. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is a strain known to kill both wild birds and commercial poultry.
Avian influenza has been detected in Ontario since March 2022.
The risk of Avian Flu spreading to humans is extremely rare. There are no indicators of increasing risk to the general public at this time.
Residents are being asked to take the following precautions:
- Keep animals away from any waterfowl or fecal matter
- Do not feed or otherwise interact with the waterfowl
- Keep cats indoors
- Keep dogs on a leash (as required under the municipal by-law)
- Do not feed pets (e.g., dogs or cats) any raw meat from game birds or poultry
- Pet birds, if not normally kept indoors, should be restricted to the indoors
- Bird feeders should be removed or washed with soap and water frequently to reduce the chance of bacterial or viral contamination
If you see a sick or dead bird, do not interact with it. Please call 311 to report the bird to Animal Services.
More information on Avian Influenza can be found on the
Government of Canada websiteInformation on Avian Influenza and on the
Ministry of Health website.
More information about your pets at Avian Influenza can be found on the
Government of Canada websiteInformation about pets at Avian Influenza.
