Two dead geese in Southside Park have been tested and confirmed to have had the avian flu.
WOODSTOCK - Positive cases of the Avian flu have been reported in Woodstock.
The City is advising people to avoid touching wild birds and bird droppings after two Canadian Geese tested positive for the Avian flu in Southside Park. Several reports were made regarding sick or dead geese in the park over the last few weeks, so two of the dead animals were sent to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for testing. Supervisor of Parks and Forestry, Reta Horan, has this to say about the situation.
“We’re in contact with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative to continue monitoring and tracking any sick or dead birds found in our parks. We’ve also been in touch with Southwestern Public Health to share information and resources on protecting the health and safety of staff and the public.”
Precautions you can take while visiting local parks include: keep yourself and your pets away from wild birds and bird droppings. If you see a wild bird that is sick, injured or dead, do not touch it. Report any sick or dead birds to the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781, or contact your health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms and have had contact with a sick or dead bird or animal in the past 10 days. Symptoms of avian influenza can be similar to the seasonal flu, including fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, red eyes, and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and seizures.
You can find out more about the avian flu in humans and how to protect yourself by visiting the Southwestern Public Health website, and if you want more information on urban wildlife in Woodstock, you can click here.

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