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Suspected Avian flu cases in Peel Region call for heightened awareness to reduce spread

Mississauga residents urged to report dead birds to 311 amid Avian flu concerns.

City services | March 7, 2025

Mississauga Animal Services is urging residents to report any sightings of dead birds to 311 immediately amid concerns over suspected cases of avian influenza, commonly known as avian flu, in the region.

What is Avian flu

Avian influenza – H5N1 (also known as avian flu)  is a contagious viral disease, which is fatal to wild birds and mammals. It can quickly devastate bird and wildlife populations, which can profoundly impact our environment and food chain.

Canadian Goose ( in Snow

Avian flu affects all types of birds, like ducks, swans & geese – especially those that tend to stay in flocks or congregate together. The viral disease affects many bird populations’ respiratory, digestive and nervous systems. The virus is transmitted from bird to bird through secretions, feces, contaminated feed, water and equipment.Many municipalities, including Mississauga, are receiving  reports of sick or dead birds on public and private property. The risk of transmission to humans is low and does not typically pass from birds to humans. However, it is high among wild or domestic birds like turkeys and chickens. In some cases, pets like birds, cats and dogs can contract the flu.

Risks of Avian flu

Despite the low risk of humans contracting the flu, people should still be cautious and avoid going near or handling wild birds or other wildlife. Other wildlife is also susceptible to the flu, so please remember to keep your distance. As a reminder, residents should see their health care provider should they become ill with flu-like symptoms within 10 days after handling wild birds or other wildlife.Infected birds and wildlife may have flu-like symptoms, including trouble breathing, sneezing, diarrhea, shaking, decreased energy, loss of appetite, blisters and in the case of turkey’s and chickens purplish-blue coloured wattles (the fleshy growth hanging from the head or neck).

Precautions for residents

There are federal and provincial measures in place to protect domestic poultry and treat avian flu outbreaks in domestic poultry operations. The flu virus can be active for a number of days, so the City is recommending precautions to help stop the spread of the flu:

  • Avoid handling sick, dying or dead birds/animals
    • If you must, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly
  • Do not feed or otherwise interact with the birds
  • Keep pets, like birds and cats indoors, where possible
  • When walking your dog, keep them on a leash to avoid interactions with other wildlife or contact with fecal waste
  • Stay away from bird droppings
  • Do not feed or otherwise interact with the birds
  • Keep food and water bowls indoors
  • Clean bird feeders with bleach and water and remove them if you see dead birds
  • Keep birds away from pets
  • Do not bring any found/sick/injured/dead birds inside your home

Reporting sick or dead birds

Residents are asked to contact 311 to report a sick or injured wild bird or animal, or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative through the online reporting tool, by calling 1-866-673-4781 or email on-nu@cwhc-rcsf.ca to report any die-off incident of wild birds or mammals. The City has maintained a waiver on fees for deceased birds since avian flu was confirmed in the Region / City.

For more information about avian flu, visit the Ministry of Health.

Group a geese sitting in the snow.

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City of Mississauga Media Relations
media@mississauga.ca
905-615-3200, ext. 5232
TTY: 905-896-5151

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