Residents are urged to avoid handling live or dead wild birds following confirmation of avian flu in the local area.
The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit says people also need to be cautious when caring for sick animals.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu poses a very low human health risk except for those in close contact with infected birds, the health unit said in a statement.
Transmission to humans is not common especially with the current strain detected in Ontario.
However, the more widespread the virus, the greater the risk of it mixing with a human strain to form a more serious and easily transmissible influenza, the health unit said.
At present, the risk remains low but bird flu is present in the region, the health unit said.
Officials at Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge in Haldimand County said recently that at least three wild birds at the refuge had tested positive.
Bird flu can infect domesticated and wild birds including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed avian flu in Ontario poultry.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has issued a minister’s order prohibiting events where the co-mingling of birds would occur in an effort to reduce the transmission of the virus among domestic birds in Ontario.
The order came into effect April 9, 2022 and is set to expire on May 9, 2022, unless extended.
Anyone who discovers injured or dead wild birds is asked to call the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Center at 1-800-567-2033 or visit the agency’s website at www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/ .
Residents with backyard poultry or other domestic birds are encouraged to review provincial guidelines at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/poultry/facts/12-039.htm and www.inspection.canada.ca/animal-health /terrestrial-animals/diseases/backyard-flocks-and-pet-birds/eng/1323643634523/132364474010 to learn how to prevent disease in backyard flocks.
Residents can also call the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 226-217-8022.
Meanwhile, Ontario poultry is safe to eat and bird flu is not a threat to food safety.
Residents should always use proper cooking times, temperatures and handling techniques with poultry, meat and eggs.
twitter.com/EXPVBall