​​​BRAMPTON, ON — To help protect the health and safety of residents and pets, the City of Brampton is providing tips in response to local waterfowl testing positive for Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) near Mayfield Road and The Gore Road. 

Further, waterfowl suspected of being infected with Avian Influenza have been found in the following areas:

• Professor’s Lake area
• James Potter Road and Bovaird Drive West
• Ray Lawson Drive and Cherrytree Drive

As a result, the Brampton Animal Services sent specimens to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) for examination. The City is actively monitoring the situation and working with all government partners. 

The risk of Avian Influenza spreading to humans is extremely rare. There are no signs of increasing public risk at this time. 

The City of Brampton is providing the following tips and pet owners are being asked to take the following precautions: 

• Keep animals away from any waterfowl or fecal matter.
• Do not feed or otherwise interact with waterfowl.
• Keep cats indoors.
• Keep dogs on a leash (as required under municipal by-law).
• Do not feed pets (e.g., dogs or cats) any raw meat from game birds or poultry.
• Pet birds, if not normally kept indoors, should be restricted to indoors.
• Bird feeders should be removed or washed with soap and water frequently to reduce the chance of bacterial or viral contamination.
  

With low risk to public health, all public spaces where infected waterfowl have been discovered remain open to the public. Signage is installed at identified hotspots. As the City continues to monitor the situation, more signage will be added should there be additional hotspots.

If members of the public discover deceased waterfowl, keep a safe distance and report it to Brampton Animal Services by calling 905-458-5800, using the Service Brampton 311 app (available on the App Store and Google Play) or visiting 311brampton.ca​. For injured or sick animals, call 3-1-1 or 905-874-2000 (outside Brampton). Animal Services Officers patrol daily to proactively address sick, injured or deceased animals and assist residents in the community. After hours, officers respond to emergencies, including sick, injured or distressed animals, as well as active incidents where wildlife or domestic animals are currently posing an immediate risk to public safety.

More information on Avian Influenza can be found on the Government of Canada website and on the City of Brampton Animal Service website.