Point Pelee National Park is a hotspot for migratory birds. It’s in southwestern Ontario on Lake Erie/Parks Canada
Point Pelee National Park has logged one confirmed case of a highly infectious strain of avian influenza.
The park made the announcement April 6 on its Facebook page, noting that Canada has seen outbreaks this year of this naturally occurring virus that affects wild and domestic birds.
Parks Canada says it’s still safe to visit Point Pelee but asks visitors to take the following precautions:
•Never approach or handle wildlife in the park, including sick, injured or dead birds.
•Never allow your pet to approach wildlife, including sick, injured or dead birds.
•If you see sick, injured or deceased wildlife in the park, call 1-877-852-3100 or tell a staff member.
•Never feed wild birds from your hand or try to lure birds with food or seeds.
•Clean all clothing and footwear before coming to the park
•Clean/disinfect footwear before leaving the park, particularly if you raise fowl or have pet birds at home.
The government says avian influenza doesn’t pose a risk to humans/Parks Canada
The park is in southwestern Ontario, on Lake Erie and just a few hours from two townships where the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), subtype H5N1, in two poultry flocks.
There have been no human cases of avian influenza resulting from exposure to wild birds in North America.
Canada reminds people to spot and report signs of avian influenza, not to touch or feed wild birds by hand, clean backyard bird feeders and baths regularly, separate domestic and wild birds, and conserve migratory bird habitat.
Point Pelee is a hotspot every spring and fall for migrating birds, and its annual Festival of Birds is coming up.
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