Eight skunks found dead last month in Vancouver and┬аnearby Richmond, B.C., have tested positive for avian flu.
The B.C. government says it is┬аthe same strain of avian influenza associated with the outbreak that began in April 2022.
The skunks were found in residential areas in both cities and┬аwere taken to B.C.’s Animal Health Centre over concerns they may┬аhave been deliberately poisoned.
British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture says the skunks were┬аinfected with the same H5N1 strain that has caused the deaths of┬аmillions of domestic poultry since the outbreak began in April last┬аyear.
The ministry says in a statement the skunks may have contracted┬аH5N1 by scavenging on infected wild birds.
The statement says while avian flu in skunks is considered to be┬аa low risk to human health, there are always risks when people or┬аpets come into contact with sick or dead wild animals.
Since last April, the ministry says wildlife infected by the flu┬аincluded more than 20 species of wild birds, two skunks and a fox┬аfound in rural areas of the province.
