My dog has died after testing positive for bird flu in Ontario.
Public Health said in a statement issued on Tuesday, The dog that tested positive for the pathogen on April 1 is the only case of its kind in Canada.A dog in Oshawa became infected after biting a wild goose.
Authorities said he died after developing symptoms.
The news comes after two waterfowl died in Brampton and Caledon, Ontario. He tested positive for the virus in late March. The city said “dozens” of other waterfowl in the area had also died and were believed to be ill.
An autopsy on the dog was completed on April 3, according to the Public Health Service, which “demonstrated respiratory involvement.” Further tests are currently underway.
“Despite the fact that this virus has caused large-scale avian outbreaks around the world in the past few years, the number of documented cases of avian influenza H5N1 in non-avian species such as cats and dogs is low,” he said. the statement said.
“Based on current evidence in Canada, the risk to the general public remains low, and current scientific evidence suggests that the risk of humans contracting avian influenza from domesticated pets is small. “
In Canada, there are no known cases of bird flu in humans from pets. At this time, officials say there is no human-to-human transmission.
“Nevertheless, owners are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to protect their pets and themselves,” they said, adding that pet owners are encouraged to feed their pets raw game or poultry meat. Pets are advised not to play with or eat dead birds.
Public Health Canada says it is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to “closely” track bird flu activity in Canada.
The Toronto Zoo closed its aviary in March as a precaution after the virus was detected on a commercial poultry farm in southern Ontario.
According to the federal government, the first detected outbreaks of bird flu in Canadian animals in July 2022 were in foxes in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, seals in Quebec, dolphins and Asian black bears.
