The discovery of a highly pathogenic bird flu in foxes in the St.Marys area isn’t unexpected.
That’s according to a wildlife pathologist with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative who says the fox kits were found by residents on a rail-trail in the area.
The mammals, one who was already dead and three others, were sent to a wildlife pathologist as they were displaying neurological signs including seizures with two more dying soon after.
Tests ultimately revealed that they had the H5N1 strain.
Brian Stevens says the mammals are the first in Canada to test positive for the virus.
“We knew that it was a possibility and we suspect that they are getting exposed by feeding on the bodies of dead, infected waterfowl or other birds.”
Stevens says concern for human health remains low and he adds the discovery won’t change much for poultry farmers as they already knew the virus was circulating in Canada.
