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Media Release: Residents reminded of steps to take to protect themselves, pets and domestic birds from avian influenza

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ Feb. 9, 2024

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is reminding residents of the steps they can take to protect themselves, their pets, and domestic birds from avian influenza after deceased Canadian geese in Kingston, Ontario tested positive for the virus.

Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, usually spreads among wild bird populations, but can sometimes affect commercial poultry or other animals such as dogs when they come into contact with infected animals.

It’s rare for avian flu to spread to people, with most human cases resulting from close contact with infected poultry. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of humans being infected with the current avian influenza strain (H5N1) in Canada. However, because it is not known if or how animals infected with avian influenza H5N1 can transmit the virus to people, it’s important to ensure that children and household pets do not have contact with wild birds or other potentially sick animals.

All residents are reminded to avoid contact with sick or dead wild or domestic birds.

To reduce the risk from avian flu, HPEPH is advising the public to:

  • Avoid direct contact with wild birds and other wild animals.
    • Observe them only from a distance.
  • Contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online or by calling 1-800-567-2033 to report ill or dead birds/animals.
  • If contact with a dead bird or animal is unavoidable, wear gloves, place the bird/animal in a doubled plastic bag and tie it closed. Avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces. You should then wash your hands with soap and warm water.
  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any bird feeders, bird baths or any potentially contaminated areas.
  • Consider removing backyard bird feeders and bird baths.
    • If they can’t be fully removed, place them as far from family pets as possible and clean with a bleach and water solution (one-part bleach to nine-parts water) at least once every two weeks.
  • Keep family pets away from birds and fecal matter. Keep cats indoors and dogs on a leash to limit the potential for an encounter with an infected bird.
  • Do not attempt to rescue birds in distress, especially on any bodies of water.
  • If you become ill with influenza symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat) within 10 days after handling wild birds or other wildlife, see your health care provider. Inform your healthcare provider that you have been in contact with wildlife.
  • As another layer of protection, HPEPH recommends that all residents get their annual flu shot. Although seasonal influenza vaccine does not prevent infection with avian flu viruses, it can reduce the risk of getting sick with human and avian flu viruses at the same time.

Additional information about avian flu is available through the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

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Media Contact:

Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca

Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@hpeph.ca

About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.

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South East Health Unit

As of Jan. 1, 2025 Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will merge to form the South East Health Unit.

Efforts are underway to develop branding for the South East Health Unit, which will take several months. In the meantime, you will see logos and other advertising material with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health branding. You may also see some documents using the legal name South East Health Unit.

Partners and members of the public should continue to engage with their local public health offices as usual until otherwise directed.

Flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccine clinic

  • RSV clinics for infants up to 12 months of age (must be born in 2024) and eligible toddlers up to 24 months of age (meeting high risk criteria).