Dead crows found in Chatham-Kent, officials investigate possible avian influenza

Officials are investigating after a cluster of dead crows was discovered in Chatham-Kent last weekend. Travis Fortnum reports.

Reports of dozens of dead crows found near the Thames River in Chatham-Kent have raised concerns among residents, with provincial and wildlife officials now investigating the cause.

Vanessa Skipper was visiting family in Chatham over the weekend when she and her partner noticed something unusual while out on a drive.

“We saw a cluster of dark on a lawn, and we were scratching our heads like, ‘That’s weird,’” Skipper said.

She says once she realized what it was, the scene quickly became overwhelming.

“I cried a little bit, got back in the truck,” she said. “It was very upsetting and like a traumatic scene.”

Skipper says there was no obvious sign of what killed the birds at the scene – and that the lack of information was unsettling.

“I don’t like that I don’t have answers,” she said. “I’m uncomfortable with not knowing.”

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says large crow die-offs are not unusual in the area.

“Large crow populations in the Chatham area make die-offs relatively common. The cause in this case is not yet known,” ministry spokesperson Mike Fenn said in a statement.

The ministry says it is working with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) and has arranged for some of the crows to be tested.

Brian Stevens, a wildlife pathologist with the CWHC, says testing is already underway.

“We test all crows that come through our service for avian influenza virus infection,” Stevens said. “We are hoping to test them and have results by Wednesday.”

Stevens says previous crow die-offs in Chatham have often been linked to disease.

“Previously, mortality events in American crows in Chatham are secondary to either an infection with avian influenza virus or avian reovirus infections,” he said.

He adds that cold weather alone is unlikely to be the direct cause but can play a role in how viruses spread.

Both CK Public Health and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit say they’re aware of avian influenza activity in the region, but the risk to people remains low.

“There is a risk. But the risk to humans in a region is very low at this time,” said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Chief Medical Officer with WECHU.

Aloosh also notes that avian influenza cases tend to peak later in the year.

“November and December is the time that we see the majority of cases of avian flu,” he said.

CK Public Health says residents who encounter sick or dead wildlife should report it to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and avoid handling the animals.

Officials stress that dead birds found on private property are the responsibility of the property owner, while birds on municipal property can be reported to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

The CWHC is asking the public to report similar incidents and to avoid approaching sick or dead wildlife, noting that pets should be monitored and kept under control while outside.