Back to SearchAs a result of the highly contagious Avian Influenza (H5N1) affecting wild and domestic birds across Canada and around the world, the City of Stratford is urging residents and visitors not to feed local waterfowl, including geese, ducks and swans.
Hand feeding encourages birds to congregate around food sources, and can increase the probability of transmission of the Avian Influenza virus, also known as the “bird flu.”
Sadly, the City lost one of its young swans earlier this month, and testing has now confirmed that it died of Avian Influenza. Several wild turkey vultures along the Avon River in Stratford, as well as a bald eagle in nearby St. Marys have also died recently as a result of the virus.
Waterfowl are more prone to Avian Influenza, and City staff are monitoring closely for illness along the river, working with our veterinarian and following the guidance of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The City of Stratford would also like to thank local retailers who have kindly agreed to stop selling packaged swan food during this bird flu outbreak.
Anyone who finds a dead, injured or sick swan in the parks system is asked to call the City of Stratford’s Parks, Forestry and Cemetery Manager at 519-271-0250 extension 246.
If a sick or dead wild bird is found on private property, please report it immediately to the Ontario regional centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at (866) 673-4781, or online at http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/report_and_submit.php. The local Humane Society is also playing an important role in picking up injured birds and sending for testing, as needed.
People are reminded to not touch any dead, injured or sick birds that they find. There is a very small risk for transmission from birds to animals. If you are feeding birds in your feeders, experts advise washing bird feeders weekly with a diluted bleach solution, rinsing and drying completely before re-using. Songbirds are less affected overall.
The signs of avian flu in birds that people should look out for include:
- nervousness, tremors or lack of coordination
- swelling around the head, neck and eyes
- lack of energy or movement
- coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
- diarrhea or
- sudden death
For more information about Avian Influenza, please visit www.canada.ca/avianflu.
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