Q&A: How Nova Scotians can help prevent the spread of bird flu

Spring is in the air. That means more birds flocking to Nova Scotia and the risk of avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu.

An estimated 12,000 birds in Nova Scotia have been impacted as of April 1, according to the federal government.

Diane LeBlanc, former president of the Nova Scotia Bird Society, spoke about how to limit the spread in an interview with Information Morning Nova Scotia on Friday.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. We hear about the risks of bird feeders spreading diseases. Are these bird feeders a risk for spreading bird flu?

Yes. The primary problem with bird feeders is that they gather all kinds of different birds together and that can be a risk to birds for avian influenza and other diseases. 

Q. So, if there are birds that are quite susceptible or maybe contaminated, then it starts to spread through various species?

That's right. The big caveat here is that the typical birds that people see in their backyard feeders — the purple finches, goldfinches and song sparrows — those birds are unlikely to get this particular strain H5N1 that has been the problem outbreak since 2021. This avian influenza strain is unlikely to affect birds at your bird feeders. However, when you put a bird feeder out, you get all kinds of animals. What you get beyond the typical feeder birds are ducks, gulls and other water birds. Those water birds are at a much higher risk of getting avian [influenza].

Q. What about bird houses? Are they also risky?

They don't attract as many birds together into one place and birds typically are not eating there so there's less likelihood of spreading. Avian influenza is spread through saliva and feces. I haven't heard that you shouldn't put bird houses up. 

The thing about feeders is that although it's not a high risk for songbirds, people need to be really careful. If you're near a chicken farm, a duck farm or even if your next door neighbour has chickens, you don't want to attract avian influenza into your yard. If it gets tracked from your yard by an animal or by you to your neighbour's yard, it could affect the poultry there. If you have any water birds at your bird feeder, you should take your bird feeder down. 

Q. Is the advice to take the bird feeder down, especially if your neighbour has chickens and to clean out the bird houses?

That's exactly right. Take your feeders down. If you're near poultry or duck farming you shouldn't have them up. Even in the winter because of the risk of autoimmune disease spreading to those domestic birds. We hear a lot of people say, 'Well, I clean my feeders every week.' The problem isn't about your feeders or your feed, it's actually about the birds gathering together. You can put your feed around in the morning and one hour later have a bird come that has trichomonosis and they could spread it to other birds without you ever seeing it. 

Q. What about other animals that are attracted to feeders?

There is some risk of avian influenza spreading to other species like foxes and cats. So if you have a cat, you might really want to consider if the cat goes outside. There's a risk that they could contract avian influenza through your feeders.

Q. You see people holding out their hands with feed for songbirds. Are songbirds safe to touch?

No. You need a licensed professional to be able to handle birds. It looks innocuous, but the best advice is to not touch them at all. 

Q. What else should you do to prevent the spread in public places?

If you walk through Point Pleasant Park, you're going to walk through duck feces because it's everywhere. You want to make sure you don't track that. What I would do is clean my shoes really well and leave my shoes outside. 

Q. Is there any risk with bird flu when swimming around ducks when the weather warms up?

There's been some cases of humans contracting bird flu, but typically it's not spread to humans right now. I'm not concerned about swimming. 

I would just say again about the feet that you might think that you're not tracking it but you have to remember this is migration season. Geese can be in your yard overnight and they can be carriers of the bird flu, so you just want to be really careful this time of the year.

You can report injured, sick or dead birds to the Department of Natural Resources. That number is 1-800-565-2224. If you've handled wild birds, you can call 811 for advice.