The highly contagious avian influenza currently wreacking havoc across the U.S. and other parts of the world has killed one domesticated dog in Canada.
On Tuesday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released a report detailing the rare case of a pet dog that died after contracting the bird flu.
In accordance with the agency, the dog in Oshawa, Ontario, tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The dog may need contracted the virus after chewing on a wild goose.
The canine reportedly developed clinical signs and symptoms before dying. The one-of-a-kind case prompted authorities to perform a necropsy, which was accomplished on April 3. They found that the dog’s respiratory system may need been compromised by the virus. Further testing is underway.
“The variety of documented cases of avian influenza H5N1 in non-avian species, comparable to cats and dogs, is low, despite the undeniable fact that this virus has caused large avian outbreaks globally over the previous couple of years,” the agency wrote.
The American Veterinary Medical Association reiterated the identical sentiment, saying only a number of cats or dogs have contracted the bird flu virus worldwide. No such case has been reported within the U.S. to date, as per USA Today.
Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not received reports of bird flu-infected pet cats and dogs, there have been instances when other mammals, including raccoons, foxes, bears, skunks and mountain lions, contracted the virus.
In its report, the CFIA encouraged pet owners to take precautionary measures to guard their pets, including cats, dogs and other animals, amid the bird flu outbreak.
The agency warned owners to not feed their pets any raw meat from game birds or poultry. They also needs to prohibit their pets from consuming or twiddling with dead wild birds found outside.
The news got here around the identical time Minnesota reported its first cases of the highly pathogenic bird flu this 2023. A backyard flock in Le Sueur County, comprising chickens, geese and geese, tested positive for avian influenza.
Authorities in the realm quickly addressed the difficulty by depopulating the flock. In an announcement to local media, public health officials said they anticipated the return of the virus after not recording any cases previously 4 months.
Additionally they assured locals that poultry and eggs are still secure for human consumption, provided people properly handle, prepare and cook them.
Health employees pack dead chickens into trash bins at a wholesale poultry market in Hong Kong December 31, 2014.
REUTERS/Tyrone Siu