Dog in Alberta that tested positive for avian flu has died

A dog that tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza has died.

The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian confirmed the death to CityNews in an emailed statement, saying the dog is reported to have scavenged on the carcass of a snow goose.

“The snow goose apparently showed some neurologic signs prior to death, which are suggestive of avian influenza,” wrote Hussein Keshwani, the deputy chief provincial veterinarian. “While I don’t believe the specific goose in this case was tested, wild water fowl are the primary reservoir for avian influenza viruses.”

Keshwani adds the dog had a compromised immune system. “That could have contributed to it becoming infected and to the severity of the disease experienced.”

He says cases of domestic pets becoming infected with H5N1 have been “sporadic” in Canada, and that this latest one “should not be cause for alarm.”

The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says this is the second confirmed fatal case of bird flu in a dog in Canada.

The ASPCA says domestic animals, including pets, can contract bird flu through contact with or by ingesting infected wild birds.

It is reminding Albertans to keep their pets away from birds and bird carcasses, and adds cats are particularly vulnerable to avian flu.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says on its website that in 2023, a dog in Oshawa, Ont., was infected with avian flu after chewing on a wild goose and later died.

–With files from The Canadian Press