Avian flu is now in Manitoba according to the provincial government. Provincial officials tested several samples from snow geese in the Waskada area, as well as one from a Bald Eagle in the Dauphin area.
One sample from each location came back positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1. To date, no cases of avian influenza have been detected in poultry flocks in Manitoba.
The risk of avian influenza to human health is low, and there are no known cases of transmission of this strain of the virus from birds to humans in North America. The province is asking for the public's help to identify cases in wild birds, Manitobans are asked to contact the toll-free TIP Line at 1-800-782-0076 if they find any of the following:
- Clusters of six or more dead waterfowl (e.g., ducks, geese) or other water birds
- Any number of dead raptors or avian scavengers (e.g., ravens, crows, gulls)
- Large groups of dead birds, such as more than 20 of any species.
