Three Stratford swans have ‘most likely’ died from H5N1

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Three of Stratford’s swans died over the weekend after showing symptoms of H5N1, the highly pathogenic bird flu virus, city officials say.

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Quin Malott, Stratford’s park manager, said staff feeding the flock found the first dead swan in the Avon River on Saturday morning.

The other two swans looked sick afterwards, one on Sunday and the other on Monday.

Although the test results were not confirmed Tuesday, both the city’s veterinarian and an avian pathologist at the University of Guelph Animal Health Laboratory reported that avian flu was the “most likely cause of death,” Malott said.

A dead turkey vulture was also found in Stratford on Monday.

“We’ve had some disease on the river, but nothing like that,” Malott said. “(For) the staff and myself it is very frustrating. It’s sad to… lose these swans after spending so much time caring for them.”

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This weekend’s wildlife deaths are not the first in Perth County to be linked to H5N1 this year. Stratford lost a swan to the virus in May, shortly after two sick fox kits discovered in St. Marys became the first mammals in Canada to be diagnosed with bird flu.

The discovery was a significant development in a global bird flu outbreak that Canadian officials have been tracking since the virus was discovered in Europe early last year. Surveillance efforts increased in December when the virus was found in Newfoundland gulls before spreading to birds in the rest of the country.

The biggest impact of the outbreak so far has been felt in the Canadian poultry industry.

More than 2.3 million birds on 133 farms had been affected by the virus as of Tuesday, according to government data. This includes about 561,000 birds on 28 farms in Ontario.

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency believes migratory birds are responsible for the outbreaks.

Malott said he believes local cases could pick up again as these birds fly south for the winter.

Dead, injured or sick swans found in Stratford’s park system should be reported to Malott at 519-271-0250 ext. 246. On the weekends, Malott said, reports can be phoned to the Stratford Police Service’s non-emergency number.

Birds found on private property can be reported to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, which relies on government agencies, animal control agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers and the general public to assist in its surveillance efforts in Ontario. Contact information can be found on the organization’s website.

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The other members of Stratford’s famous band were fine Tuesday, Malott said, but the H5N1 outbreak remains a concern. Stratford has always advised against hand-feeding the birds near the Avon but has stepped up efforts to prevent the birds from congregating too closely while H5N1 transmission is high in the area.

“No matter what killed these swans it’s some kind of virus so we would like to remind residents and visitors alike not to feed any of the wild birds as it encourages collection,” Malott said. “That’s where you’ll get that kind of spread.”

The local animal welfare society has also picked up injured birds and sent them for testing where necessary. The city reminded residents Tuesday not to touch any dead, injured, or sick birds they find.

For more information about bird flu, visit canada.ca/avianflu.

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