WATCH Avian flu is in Canada. What does that mean for birds and humans? – CBC.ca

Flu season is here, and people arent the only ones getting sick.

Birds across the world have been falling ill with an infection called avian influenza, or bird flu. Throughout 2023, the World Organization for Animal Health reported outbreaks in many countries including South Africa, the United States and Canada. Cases have already been found this month in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Quebec. While officials say its rare for avian flu to infect humans, the disease still poses a financial risk for people working in the poultry industry.

Chickens crowd together on a farm in Lichtenburg, South Africa, in March 2023. In order to prevent the virus from spreading, farmers often have to kill their chickens. (Image credit: Denis Farrell/The Associated Press)

Avian influenza, or avian flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds. Its often spread by wild birds, which are natural carriers of avian flu viruses. Although these wild birds dont always get sick, the virus can make domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys very ill. Birds that are infected will behave strangely and some die suddenly.

Avian influenza viruses that spread easily and cause serious disease in poultry are called highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Avian flu can infect mammals such as bears, seals, dogs and cats.

A sea lion with symptoms of bird flu sits on the shore in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in November. In December, authorities said almost 1,000 seals and sea lions in southern Brazil died from bird flu outbreaks. (Image credit: Diego Vara/Reuters)

The risk of transmission of HPAI to humans from wild birds and other wildlife is low, says the Government of Canada on its website.

However, its not impossible.

People are encouraged to wear protective gear while interacting with wild or sick birds, and to wash their hands and clothing afterwards.

There are currently no treatments for birds with avian flu. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says it deals with avian flu outbreaks by ordering birds exposed to the virus to be killed. If this happens, the CFIA may compensate the animals owner by paying them what the animals are worth.

Even so, people in the poultry industry still face financial losses.

A chicken egg rests on a bed of straw, while a hen stands guard. (Image credit: Erin Hooley/The Associated Press)

Consumers are also affected.

When poultry has to be put down, farmers produce less meat and eggs to sell.

This means those farmers make less money, and the price of poultry products in the grocery store goes up.

This isnt the first time Canadian farmers have been affected by avian flu.

The first case of HPAI ever recorded in Canada was in 2004.

In January 2022, hundreds of cases of avian flu were detected in Canada.

This can be a very stressful time for everyone in the sector, read a statement from the organization Chicken Farmers of Canada at the time.

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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Erin Hooley/The Associated Press, with graphic design by Philip Street/CBC

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WATCH Avian flu is in Canada. What does that mean for birds and humans? - CBC.ca