'It is something that jurisdictions need to keep an eye on and monitor'
The Nature Conservancy of Canada says Islanders who care for their feathered friends may have to put their bird feeders away this spring.
About 20 cases of avian flu have been discovered in P.E.I. in 2022. Other cases have cropped up in Atlantic Canada and across the country.
The Nature Conservancy says it is concerned and is advising people living in areas where there have been cases not to put bird feeders out in order to reduce the number of places where an outbreak can happen.
"They've been discovered in blue jay populations in Nova Scotia," said spokesperson Andrew Holland. "Elsewhere … it's been found in bald eagles on Prince Edward Island. So, yeah, there's different birds that are getting sick.
"It is something that jurisdictions need to keep an eye on and monitor. But in the meantime ... in areas where there are documented cases, it's really helpful that people can temporarily remove their bird feeders."
The virus can spread to all sorts of birds, though wild waterfowl are more susceptible. It can also spread to humans, but the risk is low.
