Bold headline: A troubling outbreak of avian flu in Niverville has decimated dozens of geese and stirred worry among local residents.
A Niverville resident, Megan McGregor, 34, was alarmed after discovering roughly 40 geese dead and frozen in a pond behind her house. She recalls the moment vividly, wishing she could rescue them but feeling powerless as the scene unfolded. “It’s hard to just watch them, so I try not to look out my window,” she said. For nearly six weeks, the geese around McGregor’s home exhibited concerning behavior—some could not stand, while others were abandoned by their flock. On December 5, Manitoba Conservation officers collected and removed the birds from the ice.
The situation prompted a response: Niverville’s administration announced on November 13 that Manitoba Conservation had detected avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in geese. Residents were urged not to approach any sick or dead birds.
Dr. Hannah Wallace, a virus researcher at the University of Manitoba’s Kindrachuk Lab, wasn’t surprised by the news. The current strain, H5N1, was first identified in Canada in 2021 and has caused mass deaths among wild and farmed birds. She notes that cases often surge during bird migration in fall and spring. The recent illnesses in geese, ducks, and other waterfowl are unusual because this virus typically circulates in these species without causing widespread harm, she explained.
According to Wallace, the primary management strategy is to collect and dispose of dead infected birds since there is no vaccine available for wild birds. Birds’ ability to fly means they can move across borders freely, complicating containment efforts. She emphasized that there are limited measures that can be taken to curb spread.
Common symptoms of avian influenza include repetitive behaviors and birds appearing in locations they wouldn’t normally frequent. While there have been rare human infections, the risk to the general public remains low. Human cases are most likely when people have prolonged exposure, such as on poultry farms. Nevertheless, Wallace advised avoiding touching or handling any infected or dead birds. Pets face higher risk if they ingest or handle infected birds, as past cases have involved cats and dogs.
She urged keeping pets away from dead animals whenever possible and, most importantly, not touching dead birds.
A provincial spokesperson confirmed awareness of the recent bird deaths in the Niverville area and explained that wild birds, especially geese, ducks, and shorebirds, can spread the virus between regions during spring and fall migrations, when new cases are typically detected. Manitoba’s natural resources and Indigenous futures department reported testing 726 birds this year, with 54 testing positive. They did not disclose how many infected birds have been found dead or whether culling has begun.
For federal coordination, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees avian influenza responses for domestic or farmed birds and works with other federal and provincial bodies on wild bird surveillance, the agency noted. When avian influenza is detected, participating laboratories must report positive results to the CFIA to ensure rapid assessment and integration into Canada’s national disease monitoring system.
While no wild-animal infection numbers were provided, the CFIA noted that previously the virus affected about 77,000 birds in October across three commercial poultry operations in the RM of Hanover.
Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck encouraged residents who find sick or dead birds on private property to contact Manitoba Conservation for safe monitoring and removal. He added that community concerns about lingering geese in local ponds are being addressed directly by conservation authorities.
Residents in need of reporting sick or dead birds can call the province’s tip line at 1-800-782-0076.
