Avian flu halts wild bird rehab for the year at the Atlantic Veterinary College
The Atlantic Veterinary College hospital in Prince Edward Island needs to be expanded so it can manage the effects of avian influenza, which are expected to be around for a long time, says a wildlife technician who works at the clinic.
The animal hospital, part of the University of Prince Edward Island, hasn't admitted wild birds since March because of the highly contagious virus, Fiep de Bie said in an interview Wednesday.
"It's been a very strange year," de Bie said. "We are very much missing the (wild) birds."
De Bie said the clinic made the difficult decision in order to protect exotic pets -- like rabbits, parrots and guinea pigs -- that are vulnerable to the highly contagious virus. The hospital space isn't big enough to isolate infected animals, she explained, adding that a bigger space is needed before the clinic can care for wild birds again.
The H5N1 avian flu appeared in Newfoundland and Labrador last December, when it was confirmed at a farm in the St. John's area. Officials said at the time that it was the first case of avian flu detected in Canada since 2015. The disease has since been found in wild birds, occasionally in mammals like foxes, rats and weasels, and on dozens of poultry farms across the country.
The first case of avian flu on P.E.I. was detected in a bald eagle in March, and hundreds of sick or dead seabirds were found washed ashore in the province over the summer.
"We knew that we couldn't take in birds because the virus was all over the island," de Bie said.
She said she is hopeful the university can raise enough money to expand the hospital so that wild birds can be admitted next spring. De Bie said creating extra isolation space with high-quality ventilation will be needed in the years to come because "avian flu probably will be around for quite a long time."
Veterinarians at the clinic continue to care for animals that are not birds, but de Bie said she and her colleagues have not been caring for as many animals as they normally are able to. Wild birds represent about 85 per cent of her department's caseload, and the veterinary college admitted about 425 wild birds in 2021.
De Bie said that with the fewer animal patients, her team has devoted time to research projects and public awareness campaigns, all "while trying to navigate the future of how we deal with avian influenza."
Staff have also kept busy working with the veterinary college's one resident wild bird: an eagle named 450 who has been in their care since October 2021.
The bird, who was the 450th animal patient in 2021, was presumably hit by a car and suffered head and spinal injuries. Thanks to surgery and rehabilitation at the veterinary college, 450 is recovering and will soon be moved to an enclosure at the animal rehabilitation centre Hope for Wildlife, in Seaforth, N.S.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2022.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.