The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is warning you to be extra careful handling any birds you hunt locally.
The organization says a Canada goose infected with avian influenza, or “bird flu”, has been found in our region.
“This virus does not easily cross from birds to humans, and the current strain of the virus has been listed as lower than normal concern for spread to people,” says Health Unit Communications Coordinator Susan Healey.
“High risk activities include caring for diseased birds, dressing birds that died from the disease, consuming duck’s blood or possibly undercooked poultry, and handling birds involved in cockfighting.”
Healey says the organization considers handling dead birds less risky, and that there’s no evidence suggesting fully cooked game birds could transmit the virus to people.
If you see any sick or dead birds in your day-to-day life, Healey says you should call the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre at 1-800-567-2033.
If you’re worried you might have contracted bird flu, you can visit the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit website to see a list of symptoms.