As the number of possible avian flu cases in B.C. climbs through the dozens this summer, the provincial SPCA advises British Columbians to pause bird feeders and baths B次元官网网址� a directive some bird experts disagree with.

Since January, 44 wild birds in B.C. have been tested for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), with nationwide spikes in the disease occurring late May and early July. Between February and June, a bald eagle, wood duck, Northwestern crow, great blue heron, peregrine falcon and two great horned owls around the province have tested positive.

In Greater Victoria, one Canada goose near Rock Bay and another by View Royal were tested for HPAI in June.

B次元官网网址淭his strain is thought to have come from migrating birds,B次元官网网址� said Andrea Wallace, BCSPCA wild animal welfare manager, adding that it first entered Eastern Canada from the U.S. before B次元官网网址渜uickly spreading across the country and into B.C.B次元官网网址�

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All bird species can contract HPAI, but Ann Nightingale of the Rocky Point Bird Observatory explained waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors that prey and scavenge along the water remain at highest risk.

B次元官网网址淲aterfowl can actually carry the disease and not show any signs of illness,B次元官网网址� Wallace said.

She called bird feeders, which can attract fowl and other animals and quickly grow unsanitary, a B次元官网网址済reat recipe for disease spread.B次元官网网址� Not only do feeders cause unnatural wildlife congregations, they also transfer disease when birds eat below them on the ground where their feces accumulates.

A bird bath regularly scrubbed, disinfected and refreshed likely poses little issue for birds, Wallace noted, but most people donB次元官网网址檛 put in that level of care.

Nightingale said temporarily removing bird feeders and emptying bird baths is unnecessary, explaining that HPAI hasnB次元官网网址檛 traditionally been an issue for wild birds in North America and primarily affects chickens and other domestic flocks.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 devastating to poultry farmers to lose tens of thousands of birds to this flu,B次元官网网址� she said.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in a statement to Black Press Media, said waterfowl and other wild birds arenB次元官网网址檛 normally affected by HPAI, but are B次元官网网址渘atural reservoirs of influenza virusesB次元官网网址� and can transmit the disease to domestic birds. HPAI can reach birds via infected poultry and contaminated manure, litter, clothing, footwear, vehicles, equipment, feed and water.

B次元官网网址淲ild birds are believed to be responsible for a number of these outbreaks,B次元官网网址� the statement read, referencing the B次元官网网址渦nprecedented numberB次元官网网址� of HPAI cases affecting farmed birds across Canada, most recently in Quebec.

While the agency only listed biosecurity practices for farmers, maintaining high sanitation standards and keeping poultry and wild birds separated were dominant themes.

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Nightingale said people incorrectly attribute the spread of the disease to bird feeders because thatB次元官网网址檚 where they usually see the birds that are affected by it.

B次元官网网址淚t is a good idea to keep your feeders and baths clean B次元官网网址� but (HPAI) isnB次元官网网址檛 caused by the feeders.B次元官网网址�

She recommended residents move bird feeders around their property, clean them more thoroughly and often, avoid spilling contents on the ground and consider not refilling them for several weeks to prevent bird clusters. Birds sick with HPAI may appear sluggish and extra fluffed up and, as Nightingale put it, actually look sick.

With some bird feeders taken down earlier this year in response to the outbreak. many bird watchers were disappointed, she added. B次元官网网址淚t was sad this spring the number of people who were saying they missed having the birds in their yard.B次元官网网址�

Asked how long this outbreak might last, Wallace replied, B次元官网网址渢hatB次元官网网址檚 the million-dollar question and we really donB次元官网网址檛 know.B次元官网网址� The BCSPCA hadnB次元官网网址檛 expected to still be hearing of new HPAI cases by this point.

To report a sick or HPAI-positive bird in B.C., call 1-866-431-2437.

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Do you have a story tip? Email: evert.lindquist@blackpress.ca.

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