Confirmed cases of Avian Flu in Oliver

By Times Chronicle staff

The Town of Oliver is advising the public that Avian Influenza was the cause of death of birds found deceased in the area.

Members of the public are being advised to avoid handling live or dead wild birds. If you must handle a bird, always wear disposable gloves or alternatively, slip a plastic bag over your hand or use a tool (like a stick) to transfer the bird into a box or container without direct contact.

Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, afterwards, and disinfect any surface that came into contact with the bird using alcohol, a diluted bleach solution, or a commercial cleaner.

Avian Influenza primarily affects waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.), and can spread to domestic poultry (turkeys, ducks, chickens). The town is also urging residents to protect their pets by preventing contact with wild birds and bird droppings.

In seeking more information from the town – including how many birds were found dead, where and when and what prompted the bird carcasses to be sent for testing, amongst other questions – the Times Chronicle was informed at 3:20 p.m. (20 minutes after receiving the release from the Town of Oliver) that all relevant staff able to speak to the issue had “already gone home” for the weekend.

The Times Chronicle will update the information once the relevant Town of Oliver staff are available again.

Meanwhile residents are advised that while head tremors and limp neck are common signs of avian influenza in sick wild birds, signs of Avian Flu in domestic birds can include:
• Drop in production of eggs/soft shells/eggs without shells;
• High and sudden mortality rate;
• Quietness and extreme depression;
• Swelling of the skin under the eyes;
• Swelling/congestion of wattles and combs.

If you observe clusters or groups of deceased birds, submit a report by calling the Wild Bird Mortality Line at 1-866-431-BIRD (2473).

Avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, has been confirmed in wild birds, domestic birds, poultry farms and one human case in BC since 2021. The risk to the general public from the circulating H5N1 strain is considered low, but close contact with infected animals increases risk.

The virus spreads easily from bird to bird, making them sick and often causing them to die. Exposure to infected birds can transmit the virus to humans with symptoms much the same as human flu.