Canada geese found dead in eastern P.E.I. had avian flu, preliminary results show

WARNING: This story contains photos that some may find disturbing.

A large number of dying and dead Canada geese in Vernon Bridge, P.E.I., were likely sick with avian flu, says a veterinarian with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

A provincial conservation officer collected samples from the bodies of 17 dead geese found on the ice of Vernon River in eastern P.E.I. and delivered them to the Atlantic Veterinary College's virology lab for testing. 

"Preliminary results show that they are positive for avian influenza," said Megan Jones, regional director of the Atlantic node of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative on P.E.I. 

Those results will need to be confirmed at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg. That lab has expertise in avian influenza, which is also known as bird flu and formally as H5N1. 

Although some may find it upsetting to see large numbers of wild birds dying, Jones said it's not really alarming. 

"It's a virus that we know is here and we know that it does this," she said in an interview Thursday.  

The virus subtype H5N1 was first detected on the Island in March 2022, when a case was confirmed in the tissues of a bald eagle found on P.E.I.'s North Shore. 

Jones said carnivores that scavenge on the geese could potentially become sick, too. She said avian flu is not just a respiratory illness, but can spread through the body of an infected animal. 

'It's so sad'

Point Prim resident Gar Gillis said he saw some Canada geese carcasses being eaten by eagles as he drove across the bridge this week. 

He said it's not something he's noticed in recent years. 

"It's so sad to see the eagles gobbling them up," Gillis said. "I think it's kind of a shame."

Canada geese infected with avian flu may behave strangely or have tremors, which is a sign that the infection is in their brain, Jones said. 

"Once the birds are showing those clinical signs, it's a pretty poor prognosis and it's pretty unlikely that they're going to survive on their own." 

What are the risks?

The sick Canada geese do not pose much danger to the general public, but the risk is higher for those who handle sick or dead wildlife, Jones said. 

Avian flu can affect humans, as well as domestic animals, so it's important to be cautious, she said. 

"If people are frequenting areas where these birds are sick, they could get virus on their boots — for example, through feces," Jones said. 

"If there are birds on people's property, especially water fowl — like ducks and geese — they could bring it on to their property." 

Jones said she recommends minimizing direct contact with animals, as well as any contact with animal feed and water.

It's also important to keep household pets such as cats and dogs from eating dead birds, Jones said. 

In terms of what can be done for the sick Canada geese, Jones said the avian flu virus is difficult to treat. 

"Once the birds are sick, there's not really anything you can do."