'Only case of its kind in Canada': Oshawa dog dies after contracting bird flu from wild goose

A domestic dog in Oshawa has died after testing positive for avian influenza in what is believed to be the only case of its kind in Canada.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the domestic dog was found to have been infected with avian influenza after chewing on a wild goose and later died after developing clinical signs.

The agency's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease confirmed on April 1 that the dog tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). A necropsy was completed two days later and showed respiratory system involvement, although further testing is underway, said an April 4 statement from the CFIA.

It is the only case of its kind in Canada," said the agency.

The CFIA added that the number of documented cases of avian influenza H5N1 in non-avian species, such as cats and dogs, is low despite the fact that this virus has caused large avian outbreaks globally over the last few years.

Based on the current evidence in Canada, the risk to the general public remains low and current scientific evidence suggests that the risk of a human contracting avian influenza from a domestic pet is minor."

The food safety agency also stressed that no domestically-acquired human cases of avian influenza have been reported in Canada" and that cases of avian influenza among humans are rare and almost always acquired through direct contact with infected birds or exposure to heavily contaminated environments. To date, there has been no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread."

However, pet owners are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to protect their pets and themselves, such as not feeding cats or dogs any raw meat from game birds or poultry and not allowing pets to consume or play with dead wild birds found outside.

Owners are also advised to contact their veterinarian if they have questions about their pet's health.

The April 4 announcement of the dead dog from Oshawa comes on the same day that Uxbridge confirmed that a pair of wild geese found at Elgin Pond have tested positive for avian influenza.

In an April 4 online post, the township said that geese in distress and dead geese were first observed on Elgin Pond on March 17 and were retrieved by officers from the Uxbridge-Scugog animal shelter. Two of those birds were sent to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at the University of Guelph.

Both tested positive for the avian influenza - or H5N1 - virus, said Uxbridge in a statement.

Avian influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect domestic and wild birds throughout the world. It occurs naturally in wild birds and, due to migration, can circulate in this population," said the township.

Residents are asked to avoid contact with birds that appear to be sick or have died and to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water if in contact with bird droppings or birds.

These guidelines are precautionary; there are no human cases of avian flu in Durham Region," added Uxbridge.

For more information about avian flu, safety precautions, or how to handle diseased birds and safely dispose of dead birds, visit the Durham health department website at www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/avian-influenza.aspx#.