2 birds in Yellowknife test positive for avian flu

Two birds in Yellowknife, a raven and ring-billed gull, have tested positive for bird flu and the N.W.T. government is warning residents on how best to take precautions. 

In a news release Friday, the N.W.T.'s environment department said there have been nine confirmed cases of bird flu — formerly known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza — in the territory since 2022. 

The disease is highly infectious among birds but the department said there are no signs of an outbreak and risk to other birds remains low.

In the news release, the territory's chief public health officer said transmission of bird flu to humans is rare and typically mild, but residents should still be careful when handling birds.

The territory is warning residents not to handle wild birds that are found dead or acting strangely, and to avoid touching surfaces that could be contaminated. They're also asked to report sightings of sick, injured or dead wildlife to the community's Environment and Climate Change (ECC) regional office. 

Hunters are advised to wear gloves and wash their hands often while dressing birds, and to process birds in well-ventilated areas. They should also disinfect surfaces, equipment and clothing afterwards, and always cook meat to an internal temperature of at least 74 C (165 F). 

Anybody experiencing respiratory or flu-like symptoms and who has been in contact with a bird within 10 days is asked to reach out to their local health centre or call 811 for assessment.