Whitehorse, YT – Despite low avian flu case counts the Yukon Department of Environment is voicing some concern in the wake of a polar bear death in Alaska highlighting the potential impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza on wildlife populations in the Yukon.
The current strain of avian influenza originated in late 2021 but most avian flu strains die out in a far shorter time.
Dr. Jane Harms, a Program Veterinarian with Environment Yukon, wasn’t surprised when she became aware of the polar bear case last week due in part to the large number of mammals who have contracted cases of the avian flu strain in other jurisdictions.
In the Yukon, so far only one case of avian flu in a mammal has been confirmed in a red fox. Even with the higher infection of mammals with this strain, Harm says that the spread to mammals is unusual but unlikely to pose a large threat to wildlife populations.
“Currently, what seems to be the case is that individual mammals get infected with this virus, usually from scavenging tissues or carcasses of birds that have died of the virus,” says Harms. “What we don’t seem to see and hopefully won’t see is that this virus being passed from one mammal to another mammal.”
There are larger challenges when it comes to surveillance due to the vast and remote areas within the territory with the Department of Environment relying on public reports. With the challenges facing the ability to properly determine avian flu infection numbers there is still concern that this strain could have a future impact on Yukon’s wildlife populations.
“I think part of it is that there’s the potential for birds and mammals out there that we just simply don’t have eyes on,” says Harms. “And so we can’t get a full picture of what’s actually happening for birds in the territory.”
Due to the potential impact on poultry Harms is urging poultry producers to learn about risks and prevention measures that can be taken.
Members of the public can also report sick or dead animals to the Animal Health Unit at Environment Yukon by emailing animalhealth@yukon.ca or by calling (867)667-5600. More info is available at yukon.ca/avian-flu.
