Key Takeaways:
- The City of Saskatoon advises citizens to be cautious after the Agriculture Ministry confirmed that samples obtained from snow geese tested positive for avian flu.
- The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo has temporarily relocated all bird species to a secure area to protect them against avian flu.
After the Agriculture Ministry verified that samples collected from snow geese were positive for avian flu, the City of Saskatoon is warning residents to be cautious.
According to a city announcement, the geese were discovered near Elrose, Saskatchewan, roughly 160 kilometers southwest of Saskatoon.
In the United States and numerous Canadian provinces, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been discovered in poultry and wild birds.
Avian flu is a viral virus that can readily and swiftly spread among birds.
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Ducks and other wild bird species can carry the virus as well as spread it to other birds without becoming ill.
When infected with particular avian flu strains, other bird species are more likely to become seriously ill and die.
The city release noted, “It is crucial to highlight that the public health risk is extremely minimal, and there is no concern to food safety.”
Residents are being asked to help by not feeding birds by hand, temporarily removing bird feeders since they encourage birds to cluster, and not touching sick or dead birds.
If someone comes across a sick or dead bird, they should call the Ministry of Environment Inquiry Centre at 1-800-567-4224 to report it.
To protect them against avian flu, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo has temporarily relocated all bird species to a secure location.
The city also alerts residents that Canada’s geese breeding season has begun.
“Geese are known to be fiercely protective of their nests, and if you get too close, they will turn hostile.”
If people are near prospective nesting places, they should exercise particular caution and awareness.”
Source: Global News
