City of Brampton shares health and safety information about Avian Influenza
The Voice of Canada : To help protect the health and safety of residents and pets, the City of Brampton is providing tips in response to waterfowl exhibiting symptoms of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). Infected waterfowl were found at the intersection of Williams Parkway and Elbern Markell Drive and in the areas of Daviselm Drive and Cedar Lake Crescent.
As a result, the City of Brampton Animal Services team sent specimens to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) for examination and Avian Influenza was confirmed. The City is actively monitoring the situation and working with all government partners.
The risk of Avian Influenza spreading to humans is extremely rare. There are no signs of increasing public risk at this time.
The City of Brampton is providing the following tips and pet owners are being asked to take the following precautions:
- Keep animals away from any waterfowl or fecal matter.
- Do not feed or otherwise interact with waterfowl.
- Keep cats indoors.
- Keep dogs on a leash (as required under municipal by-law).
- Do not feed pets (e.g., dogs or cats) any raw meat from game birds or poultry.
- Pet birds, if not normally kept indoors, should be restricted to indoors.
- Bird feeders should be removed or washed with soap and water frequently to reduce the chance of bacterial or viral contamination.
With low risk to public health, all public spaces where infected waterfowl have been discovered remain open to the public. Signage is installed at identified hotspots. As the City continues to monitor the situation, more signage will be added should there be additional hotspots.If members of the public discover deceased waterfowl, they are being asked to call 3-1-1.
More information on Avian Influenza can be found on the Government of Canada website here and on the City of Brampton Animal Service website.
