With the headlines focusing on avian influenza or bird flu's devastating impact on Saskatchewan's poultry industry there is another group who could also be potentially impacted - pet owners.
Already the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Centre has taken precautions.
To find out the does and dont's when it comes to avian or bird flu we contacted the Ministry of Agriculture to ask Ten Questions.
1. Exactly what is avian flu and why should people be worried about it?
Please refer to:
https://www.oie.int/en/disease/avian-influenza/.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a federally reportable disease.
The federal government responds to cases in domestic poultry through quarantines, destruction of infected birds and movement restriction on and off the affect farm, as well as up to 10 km around the farm.
The current circulating strains are very deadly to birds and can result in the death of an entire flock in a matter of days.
Avian influenza can infect people, particularly those who are in close contact with infected birds.
Fortunately, human infections are relatively rare; unfortunately, human infection has a high fatality rate.
2. What is the potential impact avian flu could have on pets such as, but not limited to, parrots, budgies and canaries?
Pet bird species can also be susceptible to the avian influenza virus. If pet birds are infected, they are very likely to die from the illness.
Questions related to federal response in birds should be directed to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
3. What precautions can bird owners take to prevent their pet from contracting avian flu?
Keep birds indoors and do not let them come in contact with wild birds, or environments or things that have come in contact with wild birds.
Owners should have dedicated outside shoes that do not come in contact with anything that the pet birds may come in contact with.
It is also recommended at this time to prohibit any comingling of birds from various sources, such as at shows or sales, to reduce the risk of disease transmission between birds.
Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan and Ontario, have implemented an animal health control area order to prohibit birds from traveling to and participating in such events.
4. Is there any type of vaccination for birds to prevent avian flu?
There are no avian influenza virus vaccines approved for use in Canada.
5. If a person's pet catches avian flu are there any treatments available?
There are no treatments available for any bird infected with avian influenza.
All birds that are confirmed to have avian influenza will be ordered euthanized to contain the spread of the disease.
6. They say to limit the contact of other pets and visitors to help prevent the spread of avian flu can you explain why?
The virus is shed in bird manure and secretions, which contaminates the environment.
People and pets who walk through this contaminated environment can carry the virus on their shoes and feet and track it to areas where birds can come in contact with it.
We can’t stop the spread of the disease in wild birds, but limiting contact with pets, people or other things that may be contaminated with the virus is the main thing we can do to protect domestic birds.
7. This may be controversial to ask but if a person does own a pet bird they often set up outside feeders for wild birds, is this something that should be discouraged?
People with pet birds should ensure they are not coming into contact with wild birds, or things contaminated with wild bird feces.
It is sensible for people with pet birds to not have wild bird feeders or otherwise encourage wild birds to congregate.
It is advised that the use of bird feeders be halted in general, to prevent the congregation of wild birds and hopefully lessen the risk of spread of the disease between different populations of birds.
8. What should a person do if they suspect or know their bird has avian flu? Are there any reporting obligations for pet owners?
Under the federal Health of Animals Act, bird owners are obligated by law to notify the responsible authority of any suspicion for avian influenza.
Bird owners and poultry producers should call their private veterinarians first if they suspect that their birds may have avian influenza.
If the veterinarian believes that there is a risk of avian influenza, they should call the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
9. One of the preventative measures to prevent the spread or contracting of avian flu is cleaning can you tell me are there any products a pet owner can use to help prevent their pet from contracting the virus causing avian flu?
If you are taking the above steps to keep your pet birds indoors, and making sure you are not tracking the virus in from the outdoors, there is no reason to do any special cleaning.
If you want to make sure that things coming into contact with your birds are clean and disinfected, common household bleach works well when mixed with water, using 1 part household bleach and 9 parts water.
10. Do you have anything to add?
Dealing with any animal disease can be very stressful and heartbreaking for owners.
We encourage poultry owners and producers in Saskatchewan to reach out to the provincial Farm Stress Line for support; this provincial line can be contacted 24 hours at 1-800-667-4442.
