The following information was taken from an information sheet shared with MKO by the government of Manitoba. To view the information sheet that was shared, please click here.

 

Avian Influenza, commonly known as Bird Flu

To date, there have been detections of HPAI (H5N1) in wild birds in all 4 Atlantic provinces, Ontario and BC, and in poultry in NS and NL, as well as widespread detections in the United States.

Since many Indigenous communities actively engage in spring wild bird and egg harvesting, it is important to communicate key precautions that should be taken to limit the spread of disease and minimize the risk to people.

What is Avian Influenza?

Avian influenza (AI) is a viral infection that is highly contagious among birds and is found in domestic poultry and wild birds including raptors, gulls, terns, shorebirds, ducks, geese, cranes and swans.

Wild birds and waterfowl in Canada and throughout the world are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses. These viruses typically cause little or no harm to most waterfowl and some wild birds, but may cause severe illness in some species. They can also spread to domestic poultry and, under certain circumstances, to people.

What is the risk to humans?

The risk of HPAI (H5N1) infection in the general public is considered low. There is no evidence to suggest that the avian influenza virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of fully cooked game birds or eggs. In general, human cases of avian influenza are caused by close, prolonged contact with infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments. While the risk of human infection with avian influenza viruses is low, individuals should be cautious when handling wild birds.

What are precautions that the general public can take?

As a general guideline, members of the public should not handle dead wild birds or live birds that are acting strangely. If contact with wild birds is unavoidable:

  • Wear any available personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand (i.e. gloves, mask, eye protection)
  • Pick up carcass with gloves or use a doubled plastic bag
  • Avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water

If you observe sick or dead birds and suspect that disease may be involved, contact your local Conservation Officer or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1- 800-567-2033.

Can I feed wild birds?

  • Do not feed wild birds by hand
  • Feeders at or near poultry operations / domestic animals should be removed
  • Backyard bird feeders and baths should be cleaned regularly using solutions of 25ml bleach to 2L water (1:80 dilution), rinsed and let dry

What are precautions that hunters should take?
It is considered safe to hunt, handle, and eat healthy game birds. However, because exposure to avian influenza can occur when handling wild birds and waterfowl, we recommend that you:

  • Avoid hunting game birds and waterfowl in areas where an outbreak of avian influenza has been reported or where sick or dead birds are found. Before you hunt, check that restrictions in your area have not changed
  • Do not handle or eat sick birds or birds that have died from unknown causes.
  • When handling or cleaning game:
    • Minimize direct contact with blood, feces, and respiratory secretions of all wild birds
    • Always work in a well-ventilated environment – if working outdoors, try to stay upwind of birds to avoid inhaling dust, feathers and aerosols
    • Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling birds
    • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
    • Wear gloves (for example, vinyl, latex, nitrile, rubber) as much as possible
    • Wash hands with soap and warm water immediately after you have finished. If you do not have access to water, use hand sanitizer or wipe with at least 60% alcohol
    • Keep young children and pets away from areas that could be contaminated
  • After you are done cleaning game, thoroughly clean and disinfect tools and work surfaces with soapy water, and then use a household disinfectant or bleach solution (25ml bleach to 2L water)
  • Immediately remove and wash and/or change clothing and footwear that may be contaminated with blood, feces or respiratory secretions
    o Not only does this protect your health, but also helps to prevent the spread of the virus to other birds and domestic poultry, as well as other people, animals or pets.
  • If you become ill after handling birds, contact your health care provider as soon as possible and inform them that you have been in contact with wild birds

It is important to note that not all infected birds appear sick.

What precautions should be taken when harvesting eggs?

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus can be found on the shell and in the whites and yolk of eggs laid by infected birds

While there is no documented evidence of humans getting avian influenza from handling eggs or consuming eggs that have been fully cooked, in order to reduce your risk of exposure to avian influenza and other pathogens, it is recommended that you:

  • Avoid harvesting eggs in areas where an outbreak of avian influenza has been reported or where sick or dead birds are found.
  • Practice good hand hygiene while harvesting and handling eggs
    • Wear gloves (e.g. vinyl, latex, nitrile, rubber) when handling eggs if possible
    • Always wash your hands before and after handling eggs – use hand sanitizer when you can’t use soap and water
    • Avoid touching your face and don’t eat, drink or smoke when handling eggs
  • Separate clean and dirty eggs during collection and throw away cracked and very dirty eggs covered with feces
  • Eggs should be dry cleaned only: rub dirt and debris off of eggs with a clean and dry paper towel, cloth, or brush
    • Washing or soaking eggs with water can affect the egg shell and allow germs to enter the egg
  • Always wash all egg collecting and cleaning equipment with soap and water after use, and then disinfect using a bleach solution (25ml bleach to 2L water)

What precautions should be taken when accessing bird nesting areas?

Avian Influenza can spread between (different) bird communities by transferring potentially contaminated material (i.e., bird droppings (feces), dirt, fresh water) between bird nesting areas. While egg harvesting, there are steps you can take to help reduce the possible spread of avian influenza.

  • Items to bring/wear: Rubber boots, gloves (multiple pairs), small brush for cleaning, hand sanitizer
  • When travelling between separate bird communities (i.e., moving far distances between islands or on land):
    • Brush off organic material (i.e., dirt, bird droppings, plant matter) from clothing.
    • Remove organic material (i.e., dirt, bird droppings, plant matter) from rubber boots by stomping feet and/or using a brush to clean the bottom of the boots. After dry cleaning boots using a brush, you can use nearby salt water to rinse them.
    • Change gloves and/or wash hands/use hand sanitizer in between bird nesting areas.
  • While in a bird nesting area, try to minimize contact with freshwater ponds or wet areas, if possible.
  • When preparing and having meals on islands try to select a site furthest away from bird community activity.

How do you cook or prepare wild bird meat/harvested eggs?

There is no evidence to suggest that fully cooked game birds or eggs are a source of avian influenza infection for people.

To reduce your risk of exposure to avian influenza and other pathogens, it is important to follow these recommended guidelines:

  • Cook game meat / eggs thoroughly
    • Cook eggs to an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) – Avoid consuming eggs raw or partially cooked (runny yolk); Also avoid using raw eggs in foods that will not be cooked, baked or heat-treated in other ways.
    • Cook meat pieces and cuts to an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F)
    • Cook whole birds to an internal temperature of 82°C (180°F)
  • Follow general safe food handling practices such as:
    • Keeping raw meat separate from other food products to avoid cross contamination
    • Washing hands often, including before and after handling raw meat
    • Thoroughly cleaning contaminated tools and work surfaces with hot, soapy water and then using a household disinfectant or a solution of 25ml bleach and 2L water

The avian influenza virus can survive freezing, therefore, dead birds found and collected by community members for avian influenza testing by Indigenous conservation officers should be stored separately from other community freezer items (e.g. harvested wild meat and eggs).

Good hand hygiene should always be practiced.

 

To find out if an AI outbreak has occurred in your area, contact your local provincial wildlife management office. Manitoba Wildlife and Fisheries can be called at 204-945-6784 or toll free 1-800-214-6497.

Visit this website for biweekly reports of AI in your province or territory.

Other useful links: