the bird flu from China is killing other species here in Canada
The virus has killed 1.7 million poultry birds across Canada as of the start of May
Colin Butler·CBC News·Posted: May 10, 2022 5:00 AM ET | Last Updated: 10 hours ago
Wildlife experts say avian influenza typically only affects waterfowl, but this strain, referred to as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has affected a wide array of wild birds, including raptors such as this bald eagle.(Submitted by Anthony Minaudo)
The deadly strain of avian flu ravaging Canada's poultry industry is also felling an unusual number of wild birds and has even jumped to mammals, killing a pair of juvenile foxes near St. Marys Ont., according to wildlife experts.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said that as of Thursday,at least 68 poultry farms have been affected by the virus across the country, withan estimated 1.7 million birds killed. The hardest-hit provinces are Alberta, followed by Ontario, each with 23 farms affected.
Wildlife experts say avian influenza typically only affects waterfowl, but this strain, referred to as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, has affected a wide array of wild birds, including waterfowl, corvids (such as crows and blue jays), gulls and raptors.
The most surprising casualties to date however, have been a pair of juvenile red foxes that recently died of bird flu near St Marys.
@athenaTORONTO --Canadian health officials said Wednesday a fatal case of H5N1 bird flu has been reported in Canada, the first such case in North America. The victim was travelling from China when symptoms first appeared.
Two strains of Omicron from South Africa are labelled 'variants of concern' by European health officials – who warn they could ignore vaccines and increase pressure on hospitals and ICUs
Omicron variants BA4 and BA5 could lead to uptick in cases across the continent
The ECDC is encouraging all countries to 'remain vigilant' of the new variants
It encouraged nations to be prepared to roll out second boosters to all over 60s
PUBLISHED: 17:56 EDT, 13 May 2022 | UPDATED: 06:54 EDT, 14 May 2022
Two strains of Omicron have been labelled 'variants of concern' for their ability to evade vaccines and are likely to dominate Europe's Covid cases by the summer, health officials have warned.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in a report that variants BA4 and BA5 could lead to an uptick in cases across the continent, risking a surge in hospital and ICU pressure.
The EU body is encouraging all countries to 'remain vigilant' for signs that the strains are emerging - while encouraging over 80s to receive a second booster jab.
