‘Unless you are a bird, you shouldn’t worry’: Avian flu worries unwarranted, vet association head

Avian flu cases are on the rise across the country and pet owners might want to know the danger to their furry best friends.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, on rare occasions the virus can infect mammals and explains the Avian flu as a “contagious viral infection that can affect several species of food-producing birds as well as pet birds and wild birds.”

In response to this concern, Dr. Louis Kwantes, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association explained that the risk to mammals is minimal, saying “unless you are a bird, you shouldn’t worry about it.”

“I want to emphasize that this is not a disease of non-avian species,” said Kwantes. “This is not something that we need to panic about. This is not an impending disaster.”

While Kwantes said the risk is low since the virus requires close contact over a long period of time, and detailed exactly how it spreads.

“The virus can be spread, not just through direct contact, but also through contaminated things like for example, bird feces. That’s why migrating birds tend to be to spread it in the course of their migration.”

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Earlier this month, the SPCA urged people to remove their bird feeders due to the highly infectious virus.

“Fallen seed is also an especially dangerous source of disease – when birds feed from the ground, they are also exposed to droppings that accumulate below a feeder,” the SPCA said.

“So what we are trying to avoid is creating a situation where bird-feeders are attracting large numbers of birds, large congregations of birds, which really just makes a fantastic opportunity for the disease to spread. So, as a proactive and precautionary approach, we are advising to temporarily remove bird-feeders and birdbaths to help curb the spread of this disease,” Andrea Wallace, the manager for animal welfare, said.

Environment Canada says to not touch a dead, injured or sick bird. If one is found, people are to contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-800-567-2033 or by using their online reporting tool, or the B.C. Wild Bird Reporting Line at 1-866-431-2474.

With files from Claire Fenton