Wings Rehab Centre reports avian influenza cases

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) and an Amherstburg, Ont., wildlife rehabilitation centre are both warning people to be careful around animals after several waterfowl in the centre's care tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5NX).

In a post on Facebook, Wings Rehabilitation Centre advises anyone coming in contact with an injured bird to wear gloves and a mask and to thoroughly wash hands and clothes after contact.

Staff are also advising people to call the wildlife hotline if they come across a suspected case of H5NX or find an injured bird in need of medical treatment.

The health unit is encouraging people to notify their municipal animal control program if they observe an animal that appears to be sick or may have died from unknown causes.

Wings staff have been donning full personal protective equipment when triaging waterfowl and raptors that have been rushed into their care, they said.

They will continue to accept the birds into their care, they added, but will be implementing a strict protocol to protect finders, patients, volunteers and staff.

"To minimize the risk of outbreak and human transmission, only select staff members will be handling and treating waterfowl and raptors," the post said.

The health unit has been in discussion with Wings about the handling and care of the infected animals, it said in an emailed statement to CBC.

"At this time, there is no confirmed transmission to humans related to these cases in our region," it said. 

"Although the risk of avian influenza for humans in Windsor-Essex remains low, transmission between infected animals and humans is possible."