Avian flu virus affecting mammals in P.E.I.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Avian flu has been present in skunks in P.E.I. in addition to affecting a variety of fowl species and foxes within the province, says the regional director of the Canadian Wildlife Health Co-operative.
“The extremely pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was first detected in P.E.I. simply over a yr in the past, so we’ve been coping with it on the Island all that point,” mentioned Dr. Megan Jones, who can also be an affiliate professor with the Atlantic Veterinary Faculty.
Jones mentioned though the illness primarily impacts birds, it has additionally popped up in mammal species.
In June, the Canadian Wildlife Well being Co-operative discovered avian flu in a number of litters of fox kits from throughout P.E.I., and this winter the lab discovered the flu in a handful of skunks.
Neurological impacts
Avian influenza impacts many organ techniques, and the obvious indicators are neurological, mentioned Jones.
Contaminated animals might seem sleepy or torpid, they may not act afraid of people they usually might seem unco-ordinated. In some instances, the influenza virus might trigger seizures, she mentioned.
“With skunks, typically they’ve been torpid, strolling in circles, behaving unusually. Actually, any irregular behaviour might imply that the animal is sick, and it might imply that there’s one thing occurring, together with influenza,” she mentioned.
Some contaminated skunks had been delivered to the lab by provincial wildlife workers whereas others had been delivered to the Atlantic Veterinary Faculty instructing hospital by involved residents. Nonetheless, Jones doesn’t suggest dealing with sick or useless wildlife as a result of the H5N1 avian flu virus can – in uncommon instances – infect people who deal with unwell animals.
Low threat to people
The present H5N1 virus doesn’t appear to be spreading from mammal to mammal and, as of now, is taken into account by well being authorities and the World Health Organization to be a low threat to people.
“They haven’t seen very many instances of it, though it’s fairly widespread all over the world proper now, however there may be nonetheless the likelihood,” mentioned Jones.
Anybody who sees a sick or useless wild animal ought to contact workers from the Division of Setting’s Forest, Fish and Wildlife division, she mentioned.
“These of us are educated specifically about what kind of PPE they need to put on, they usually’re educated to deal with the animals,” she mentioned.
“Sadly, this can be a actually vital illness, so if you happen to see an animal that’s sick and nonetheless alive with this illness, there’s actually nothing that may be executed to deal with it, so probably the most humane choice is to euthanize it.”
Provincial workers are in a position to try this in a method that’s secure for people and different animals, mentioned Jones.
Persistent sickness
The present avian flu outbreak began round a yr in the past and has persevered in P.E.I. by the summer time by spreading to nesting seabird colonies, mentioned Jones.
In different components of Canada, H5N1 has been present in harbour seals, gray seals, black bears, raccoons and mink. Within the U.S., avian influenza has been present in opossums, grizzly bears and bobcats.
Wildlife pathologists suppose terrestrial mammals are getting sick after consuming contaminated birds.
Seals don’t eat birds, so nobody is for certain how they’re catching the flu, however consultants suspect it may be taking place when seals transfer by seabirds’ densely packed nesting areas.
Jones says H5N1 in all probability received’t result in any main influence on mammal populations, however viruses can change shortly so samples from each constructive take a look at are despatched to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s nationwide lab in Winnipeg.
“They do extra testing to allow them to keep watch over the genetics of the virus and see what’s taking place with it and see the way it’s altering over time as a result of what we wouldn’t need is a virus that turns into infectious to individuals to begin spreading,” mentioned Jones.
That’s not taking place proper now, she mentioned, “however it’s accountable to keep watch over that.”
Good to know
- Any sick or useless wild birds must be reported to the provincial fish and wildlife workplace by calling 902-368-4683.
- Inquiries and considerations about avian influenza and home poultry will be directed to the Division of Agriculture and Land by calling 902-368-4880. Considerations in regards to the fowl flu and human well being will be directed to the Chief Public Well being Workplace at 902-368-4996.
Alison Jenkins is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. She will be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @ReporterAlison.
