Preventing Disease & Controlling Infections

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is contagious and can affect domestic and wild birds. Many AIVs occur naturally in wild birds and circulate in migratory populations. The main current virus in circulation, H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has caused an unprecedented global outbreak in its size and duration. First reported in Canada in December 2021, the virus has since been detected in wild birds in every province and territory.

Are there any confirmed cases of humans being infected with H5N1 in Canada?

There are no confirmed cases of humans being infected with the current Avian Influenza strain (H5N1) in Canada and to date, there has been no evidence of person-to-person transmission globally. The risk to the general public of contracting avian influenza is low.  Members of the public should always avoid direct contact with sick or infected birds and animals.

How can I protect myself and what precautions should I take?

While the risk of human infection with avian influenza viruses remains low, members of the public should avoid handling live or dead wild birds or potentially infected animals. If contact with wild birds or potentially infected animals is unavoidable, wear gloves or use a doubled plastic bag and avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces. You should then wash your hands with soap and warm water.

While the annual human influenza vaccine does not protect against Avian Influenza, it will help prevent you from getting seasonal influenza, which could weaken your immune system or resistance to other infections. 

What are the human symptoms for Avian Influenza?

Based on the studies of patients with the HPAI H5N1 virus, signs can range from very mild to severe. The most common signs include,

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle and/or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Less commonly, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures can occur. Diarrhea is more common with avian influenza than with influenza due to human viruses.

It is important to tell your doctor if you have any of these signs and if you have been around birds or animals in the past 10 days, and especially important if you have been around sick or dead birds or potentially infected animals and did not wear any personal protective equipment. Specific tests to detect avian influenza in people are available. Anti-viral therapy may be prescribed for you. If you do not have access to a doctor, please call Health811 at 811.

How can I protect my pet from avian influenza?

Pet owners are advised to:

• not feed pets (e.g., dogs or cats) any raw meat from game birds or poultry.
• not allow pets to consume or play with dead wild birds found outside.
• contact their veterinarian if they have questions about their pet’s health.

Additional Resources:

• Poster: Prevent the Spread of Avian Influenza in Wild Birds
• Avian Influenza - Emergency Planning and Preparedness - Programs and Services - Health Care Professionals - MOH (gov.on.ca)
• Avian influenza in wild birds - Canada.ca
• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Food Safety
• Contact the CWHC regional centre in your area to report sick or dead wildlife: CWHC-RCSF :: Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Réseau canadien pour la santé de la faune
• National Avian Influenza - Wild Positives

Ticks can carry illnesses, such as Lyme disease, that can lead to lifelong health problems. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.

Additional information about ticks:

• Ticks are small, around the size of a sesame seed but can swell to the size of a raisin as it feeds.
• They move about the ground slowly or settle on tall vegetation until they can attach themselves to a human or animal passing by. They do not fly.
• They can work their way through clothes to bite skin, which is why it is important to tuck in your clothes (see below).

Prevention

The best way to avoid becoming infected with Lyme disease is to prevent being bit by tick. Here are things you can do when you are outside, especially in wooded and long-grassed areas: 

• Wear light-coloured clothing so it is easier to spot ticks.
• Clothing should include:
  • Closed-toe footwear and socks;
  • Long-sleeved tops and long pants; and
  • Tuck your shirt into your pants and tuck your pants into your socks.
• Use insect repellent that has DEET or Icaridin on clothes and exposed skin (avoiding eyes and mouth). Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
• Search your clothes and body for ticks. Don’t forget to check your children and pets as well.
  • Pay special attention to the groin, navel, armpits, scalp, and behind the ears and knees. A mirror can be used to check the back of your body or have someone else check for you.
  • Taking a shower after being outdoors makes it easier to find and wash off any ticks.
  • Ticks thrive in wet environments. Before washing outdoor clothing, put them in a dryer on high heat for 60 minutes to kill any ticks.
• If ticks are found on yourself or your loved ones, they can be submitted to Northeastern Public Health for identification.

If you have pets:

• Speak with your veterinarian about appropriate tick prevention for your pet.
• Don’t forget to check your pet regularly for ticks if they spend time outdoors.

What to do if you find a tick

If you’ve found a tick on yourself or someone else, it is important to remove it immediately as ticks are more likely to transmit infection after being attached 12 to 24 hours. It can be removed by:

• Using fine-tipped tweezers to gently grab the tick as close to your skin as possible (do not use your fingers);
• Slowly pull it straight out, gently but firmly;
  • Do not squeeze it, do not put anything on the tick, and do not try to burn the tick off. It may cause the tick to inject the Lyme disease bacteria into the bite site.
• After removing the tick, place it in a sealable container or sandwich bag;
• Thoroughly cleanse the bite site with soap and water then disinfect with rubbing alcohol;
• Contact your health care provider to discuss possible post-exposure treatment. In some cases, pharmacists may also be able to assess tick bites and related reactions.
• Bring the tick to your local office to submit for species identification or ticks can be identified by visiting eTick, which is a public platform for image-based identification.

If you have pets:

• Steps for removing a tick on your pet are the same as the steps you would follow for yourself. However, the health unit is unable accept submissions of ticks found on animals.
• Ticks can be identified by visiting eTick, which is a public platform for image-based identification.
• If you have questions regarding the tick found on your pet, please speak with your veterinarian.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease can vary for each person and typically occurs within three days up to one month after a bite from an infected blacklegged tick. Signs and symptoms can include one or more of the following:

• General or bull’s-eye rash;
• Skin inflammation;
• Fever;
• Chills;
• Headache and/or migraines;
• Stiff neck;
• Fatigue;
• Decreased appetite;
• Muscle and joint aches; and
• Swollen lymph nodes.

It is recommended that any person who has come in contact with a tick to follow-up with their health care provider to discuss post-exposure treatment. If left untreated, Lyme disease may lead to complications.

If you think you have any symptoms, contact your health care provider. Tell them about your tick bite and where you came in contact with the tick. The earlier treatment is received the better.

If you have pets:

• Symptoms for animals are similar to those for humans.
• Please speak with your veterinarian about appropriate post-exposure response for your pet.

Monitoring

Although, the risk for the transmission of Lyme disease remains low, Northeastern Public Health has confirmed the presence of black-legged ticks within the area. This includes blacklegged ticks that have tested positive for Lyme disease.

For the most up-to-date information about how to protect yourself, please refer to Public Health Ontario’s webpage for Lyme disease

In Canada, the prevalence of human infection with the rabies virus is low due to a strong public health infrastructure, an effective reporting/notification process, the vaccination of domestic animals, and the surveillance of wild animals.

In 2025, Northeastern Public Health (NEPH) has been informed of several reported cases of rabies detected in the fox population in northern Ontario communities along the Hudson and James Bay Coast.  While we were already aware that rabies has been identified in the bat population within the district since 2021, Ontario also saw its first locally acquired human rabies case in over 60 years in the fall of 2024.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral infection of animals that can be transmitted to humans. It is caused by a virus, which attacks the central nervous system and eventually affects the brain. The virus is usually found in the saliva of an infected animal. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms occur. Rabies can occur in any warm-blooded animal, domestic and wild- commonly, dogs, cats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, wolves and bats. Animals having potential interactions with people such as cattle and horses can acquire rabies and may transmit the disease to humans.

Rabies Prevention

To prevent rabies:

• Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date
• Avoid feeding or handling wild animals
• Avoid strays and do not pet unknown animals
• Supervise your pets. Don’t let them run free, especially at night
• Do not leave your pet’s food outside, as this may attract other unwanted animals
• Do not touch domestic or wild animals that look sick or are acting strangely even if you want to help them

Rabies Investigations

If you have been bitten by an animal:

• Wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention. A health care provider will do a risk assessment to determine if rabies vaccine is needed.
• The health unit will investigate all reports of animal bites and scratches with most animals being quarantined for a 10-day period.
• In any quarantine situation we remind the public that we don’t take their animals away from them during or after the quarantine period.

Northeastern Public Health will continue to work with pet owners and local vets to protect the public and other animals from the spread of rabies. It is important animal owners work with the health unit to protect the public and other animals from the potential spread of the rabies virus.

Health professionals are responsible to report animal incidents to their local health units. Animal incidents can be reported by calling the Northeastern Public Health at 1-877-442-1212 where someone can be reached 24 hours a day.

Rabies Vaccinations

The Northeastern Public Health Unit is asking pet owners to ensure their pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. As of July 1, 2018, rabies vaccination has become mandatory in the Province of Ontario under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). These changes include the following:

• All dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of 3 months in Ontario must be vaccinated regularly against rabies.
• All horses, cattle, sheep or other livestock intended to come into direct contact with the public must also be vaccinated. However, if these animals are only accessible to persons responsible for their care and control will remain exempt from the rabies immunization requirement.

Rabies vaccinations for your pets need to be updated every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine product given. Contact your veterinarian for more information or to inquire if your pet’s vaccinations are up to date.

Additional Resources:

• Rabies in wildlife | ontario.ca

A bite from an infected mosquito can cause an illness, such as West Nile virus (WNv). Infected mosquitoes can spread the virus to humans and other animals. West Nile virus is not currently a widespread illness in Northeastern Ontario; however, there is a possibility that, with changes in climate and migration, the mosquitoes that are capable of causing illness could one day be a greater concern.

Prevention

The best way to avoid becoming infected with West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Here are things you can do:

• When you are outside, wear light-coloured clothing, closed-toe footwear, socks, and long-sleeved tops and pants.
• When you are outside, use insect repellent that has DEET or Icaridin on clothes and exposed skin (avoiding eyes and mouth). Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
• Limit your time outdoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Repair holes in screens, windows, and doors.
• Maintain areas where mosquitoes are most likely to lay their eggs:
  • Change water in bird baths every other day;
  • Keep pool pumps and pumps in ornamental ponds circulating;
  • Cover openings in rain barrels; and
  • Empty standing water regularly from:
    • Clogged eavestroughs and gutters,
    • Garbage cans,
    • Flowerpots and saucers,
    • Wheelbarrows,
    • Pool covers,
    • Wading pools,
    • Toys, and
    • Old tires.

Signs and Symptoms

Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will not necessarily experience symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they are usually mild and typically start between 2-15 days after being bitten. Common symptoms can include: 

• Fever;
• Headaches;
• Body aches;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting; and/or
• Mild rash.

A small percentage of people may become seriously ill. Young children, older adults, those who have chronic diseases, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of serious health effects. Symptoms may include:

• Severe headaches;
• Muscle weakness;
• Confusion;
• Tremors;
• Numbness; and/or
• Sensitivity to light.

It is recommended to seek medical attention if you are feeling unwell.

Monitoring

In our region, the risk remains low for the West Nile virus. In 2024 and 2019, the health unit has received reports of a bird, found within the region, that tested positive for WNv. Prior to this, the last positive bird reported in our area was in 2006. The last positive mosquito pool in our area was also reported in 2006.

For the most up-to-date information about how to protect yourself, please refer to Public Health Ontario’s webpage for West Nile virus.

Anyone with concerns about a dead bird can contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781 or report online using the tool at cwhc.wildlifesubmissions.org.