A Niverville bird-flu outbreak claims dozens of geese
A resident of Niverville is on edge after witnessing roughly 40 dead geese frozen in a pond behind her home, all of them infected with avian influenza. Megan McGregor, 34, said she knew something was off when she spotted the geese, many immobilized or left behind by others, in the icy water.
For nearly six weeks, the geese near McGregor’s property exhibited unusual behavior. Some could not stand, while others were abandoned by flock mates. On December 5, Manitoba Conservation officers reportedly collected and removed the birds from the ice.
“It was really traumatic, because I kept asking myself if this is normal,” McGregor recalled.
Niverville’s town administration announced, on November 13, that Manitoba Conservation had detected avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in geese and advised residents not to approach any sick or dead birds.
Dr. Hannah Wallace, a virus researcher at the Kindrachuk Lab at the University of Manitoba, was not surprised by the news from Niverville. The current strain, H5N1, was first introduced to Canada in 2021 and has caused widespread deaths among wild and farmed birds. Migration periods in fall and spring are typical times for case spikes. The latest illnesses in geese, ducks, and other waterfowl are somewhat unusual, Wallace noted, because the virus commonly circulates in those species without causing illness.
Management of the virus relies on collecting and disposing of dead infected birds, since there is no vaccine for wild populations.
“The thing about birds is that they fly, so they can go anywhere. They don’t respect borders—Canada-US border lines don’t matter to them,” Wallace explained. “So there are very limited interventions we can take.”
Common symptoms of avian influenza include repetitive behaviors and birds appearing in unusual locations.
While there have been rare human infections, the risk to the general public remains low, according to Wallace. Most human cases occur after prolonged exposure, typically on poultry farms. She still urges people not to touch or handle infected or dead birds.
Pets face higher risks if they ingest or handle infected birds. There have been instances of avian influenza in cats and dogs, she added.
“Keep pets away from dead animals as much as possible. And avoid touching dead birds altogether—that’s the key warning,” Wallace advised.
A provincial spokesperson confirmed that officials are aware of the recent bird deaths linked to the virus in the Niverville area.
“Wild birds, especially geese, ducks, and shorebirds, are known to spread the virus between regions during spring and fall migrations, which is when new cases are frequently detected,” the statement read.
This year, Manitoba’s natural resources and Indigenous futures department tested 726 birds, with 54 testing positive.
Officials did not disclose how many infected birds were found dead or whether culling has begun.
Meanwhile, the federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s avian influenza program focuses on domesticated birds, while coordinating wild-bird surveillance with other federal and provincial bodies, including Manitoba’s natural resources department.
“Positive results from participating laboratories must be reported directly to the CFIA,” an agency spokesperson explained, noting that findings are quickly assessed and added to Canada’s national disease-monitoring system.
The department did not provide current counts for wild-animal infections, but it pointed to a prior outbreak that affected about 77,000 birds housed by three commercial poultry operations in the RM of Hanover in October.
Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck urged residents who find sick or dead birds on private property to contact Manitoba Conservation for safe monitoring and removal.
“The community’s concerns about lingering geese in local ponds have been heard, and Manitoba Conservation is actively addressing the situation,” he said.
Residents can report sick or dead birds by calling the province’s tip line at 1-800-782-0076.
Would you approach a pond after hearing about a widespread wildlife illness, or would you let experts handle it from a distance? Share your thoughts below.
